HOLIDAY HIRING IN FULL SWING IN D.C.
It so, you better get moving. Stores In the District report they're busy hiring. With unemployment low and the economy booming, District retailers expecting a strong shopping season intend to have holiday staff hired and trained no later than Thanksgiving, when the holiday shopping season tra ditionatiy begins.</br></br>ÛÏWe try to begin in early October and have everyone trained by Thanksgiving,Ûª said Wes Pollard, operations manager at the FAO Schwarz store at Georgetown Park.</br></br>Mark Albrecht, Britches of Georgetowne vice president tor human resources, said he kicked off his hiring campaign last weekend. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, he expects to bulk up the staff at the chain's 126 stores by 50 percent For the holiday season, said Albrecht, ÛÏWe hire in a very big way.ÛÏ</br></br>What are retailers looking for in holiday hires? "A lot of our customers are tourists and the best salespeople are the ones who can listen the best,' said Pollard. An outgoing personality is also important. ÛÏWe need some perky, upbeat, fun-loving people,Û added Pollard. Û÷If you have the personality of a rock, it's just not going to work.Û uepenaaoiiny counis too. u s critical mat saies to serve customers. Û Ihe consumer is so In tune with associates show up on time and work the shifts	customer	service,"	he	said.	Finding	candidates	who</br></br>At Britches, Albrecht said, Û÷We cater our hiring to our customers." Albrecht says experience has shown that Britches' customers, who are already fans of the company's merchandise, make the most enthusiastic sales associates, and in selling, he noted, enthusiasm counts. ÛÏHire the personality, train the skills,Ûª said Albrecht. ÛÏCustomers [who work for the company) appreciate the 30 percent discount on merchandise as much as the take home pay,Û he added.