Tarrant Business

Blockbuster says this year's seasonal hiring "consistent" with previous years'

Here's more on Blockbuster's announcement today that it plans to hire 4,000 seasonal employees this holiday season.

On how that compares to previous years' levels: "This year's seasonal hiring is consistent and in proportion to the number of Blockbuster stores."

On how many of these employees will be in the DFW stores: 100.

When does recruiting begin? "Now! We are actively accepting applications and interviewing."

When does Blockbuster want these people on board? "Blockbuster wants to have staff in place as soon as possible. With Thanksgiving a few weeks away, we want to be fully staffed to take care of customers. The week leading to Thanksgiving and the momentum continues through the New Year, peaking the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. The last two weeks of the year and first week of the new year are often the busiest."

How long do these jobs last? "Through the holiday season. After the holidays, top performing seasonal employees sometimes have the opportunity to become permanent."

What do they pay? "The pay is competitive with other retailers that also hire seasonal staff."

What's the potential for hours? "This is dependent upon many variables, but can range from 10 hours to 40 hours per week."

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

AAA Texas hiring, holding Irving job fair Nov. 3

AAA Texas is hoiding a job fair Wednesday Nov. 3, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at its Regional Headquarters, 6555 Highway 161 in Irving. The company is looking for customer service employees and inside and outside salespeople.

The openings are fulltime, with regular medical, dentai, 401(k), pension plan, AAA membership, and insurance discounts. To review jobs and apply, visit AAA's careers site.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Blockbuster hiring 4,000 holiday employees

Blockbuster said today it plans to hire 4,000 seasonal employees this holiday season. "In previous seasons, the company has hired thousands of employees to help shoppers find the right movie, game or merchandise for renting or gift-giving," the Dallas company said. We have a call into the company for more info on how this announcement compares to previous years' holiday hiring, when the recruiting and hiring begins and ends, etc.

For more info on the company, visit its web site.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Texas adds 3,700 jobs in September

Texas added 3,700 jobs in September, for a total 152,800 jobs gained in the last year, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday.

The state’s unemployment rate, adjusted for seasonal factors, fell to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent the prior month, the lowest monthly rate this year, the commission said. Texas’ jobless rate was 8.1 percent in September 2009.

“Texas continued to display strong job growth across many industries in September,” Tom Pauken, the commission chairman, said in a release.

Manufacturing added 2,000 jobs for a total 24,500 in the last year. Mining and logging added 3,800 jobs, for a total 28,000 added in the last year.

Leisure and hospitality added 10,300 jobs, for a total 27,500 in the last year. Trade, transportation, and utilities added 4,000 jobs, financial, 200.

Education and health services lost 900 jobs in September, but added 49,500 in the last year. Professional and business services lost 400 jobs in September, but added 50,300 in the last year.

Construction lost 7,000 jobs and a total 15,500 in the last year. Government lost 4,200 jobs and a total 1,300 in the last year, with the Census continuing to shed jobs. Information was off 2,500, and a total 14,600 in the last year.

The Fort Worth-Arlington area added 2,400 jobs in September, compared to the prior month. Local government added 4,500 jobs, education and health services 1,200. Federal government lost 500 jobs. Manufacturing and financial stayed the same. Total nonagricultural employment in the area was up by 7,800 jobs in the last year.

The Fort Worth-Arlington jobless rate was 7.9 percent, down from 8.3 percent the prior month and 8.2 percent a year ago.

The metro area figures are not seasonally adjusted.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Go Rangers! - Rickey C. Cooper

Go Rangers!

The reason I say Go Rangers is because we the unemployed workforce can use them for positive reinforcement. 

The Rangers have been trying to do something that we have been trying to do also, us the unemployed win a JOB and the Rangers win the Pennant.

So you see there is something in common for us unemployed to rally behind the Rangers and when they win Tonight! we win also in spirit. 

With the Texas Unemployment Rate holding steady at 8.3% since August, 2010 we need all the support we can get: http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LASST48000003

My closure on this Historical Day for the Texas Rangers Go Rangers!

Regards,

Rickey C. Cooper

rccooper43@yahoo.com

Fed: Dallas district shows "scattered signs of improvement"

Here's the Federal Reserve's latest summary of economic conditions in its Dallas district, out today.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Dirk Spencer's resume boot camp in Fort Worth Oct. 30

Jobhunters can get a free half-day boot camp with DFW resume guru and corporate recruiter Dirk Spencer, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 30, at the Trinity Vineyard Fellowship church, 1401 W. 5th St. downtown. Spencer will present his Resume Psychology-Get the Offer Not the Interview program. Register online at www.careersearchnetwork.org. Click on "Services", then "Seminars".Space is limited to 100 participants.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Seniors must work longer, if they can find a job

Here's Star-Telegram columnist Mitchell Schnurman's column from today's Star-Telegram.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

Solana developer in lease negotiations to relocate San Diego software company

Here's Star-Telegram real estate reporter Sandy Baker's print story from today's paper on Solera Holdings, the San Diego software company that wants to relocate to Tarrant County.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram

DFW consumer prices up in August-September

Consumer prices rose 0.8 percent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during August and September, as medical care rose 9.2 percent and apparel 6.6 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.

The index for all items except food and energy rose 1.2 percent, after declining eight months. Consumer prices had fallen 0.9 percent in June and July.

Consumer prices were unchanged from a year ago.  In the last 12 months, the index for all items except food and energy dropped 0.2 percent as prices for shelter, recreation, and apparel dropped.

- Scott Nishimura, jobs and workplace reporter, Star-Telegram