Tis' the season to be hiring...

Sunday, November 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Local stores are gearing up for a short shopping season this year. Thanksgiving this year comes late in the season. That means a compressed shopping season and that is having an effect on seasonal hiring.

Stores are moving quickly to get trained salespeople in place to accomodate the after-Thanksgiving rush.

Mervyn's is just one of many retail stores in a rush to fill temporary positions. In some cases new workers there are interviewed, hired, and begin work in the same day.

Those doing the hiring say this year many adults are applying for jobs that college students normally line up.

Mervyn's manager Carla Harney says in past years, there used to be more jobs than people. But now, with the slowing economy, she says retailers can afford to be pickier with who they hire.

Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year and with it falling a week late, tha means six fewer shopping days.