Tarrant Business

Six Flags holding auditions Saturday for 2011 entertainers

Six Flags Over Texas is holding its first open audition for Spring 2011 entertainers, Saturday at The Harbor Center at Hurricane Harbor, 1800 E. Lamar Blvd., in Arlington.

Audition times: 10 a.m., dancers; 10:30 a.m., costume; noon, disc jockeys and game show hosts; 1 p.m. singers.

"Perform on our stage, and there’s no telling where you may end up!" Six Flags says in its PR, noting Kelly Clarkson, "So You Think You Can Dance" winner Joshua Allen, Betty Buckley, and John Denver all once performed at Six Flags Over Texas before they hit the bigtime.

"Singers should be prepared to sing an up-tempo and a ballad song of their choice, and dancers will learn a short routine," Six Flags says. "Costume characters will be asked to perform a series of acting exercises and DJs/game show hosts will read a pre-written script. "

Info: www.sixflagsjobs.com

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

Grapevine Mills adding Ross Dress for Less, children's and candy stores

Grapevine Mills, slated to add a Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life aquarium this Spring, says it’s signed up some new stores as well. The mall said a Rose Dress for Less anchor will open this October in “Neighborhood 1,” a Crazy 8 children’s store owned by Gymboree will open in early May at Neighborhood 4, and an  It’s Sugar candy store will open in April in Neighborhood 5. The Legoland center will open in March, and the Sea Life in May.

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

Goodwill having job fair Friday on Altamesa in Fort Worth

Goodwill Industries is having a job fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at its new 2100 Altamesa Blvd. store in south Fort Worth. Employers will include Paramount Staffing, the Texas Workforce Commission, Goodwill Staffing Services, TXU sales and marketing, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, the National Guard Job Connection, Lowe’s, and Sam’s Club. Goodwill is having the fair to commemorate the openings of the Altamesa store and two others in West Fort Worth and Hurst.

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

How Fort Worth-Arlington jobs fared in 2010

Fort Worth-Arlington’s jobs picture continues to improve, along with the state’s, according to today's Texas Workforce Commission data.

Area employers listed 858,300 workers on payrolls in December, up from 857,600 in November and 850,000 a year earlier, according to figures out Friday from the Texas Workforce Commission. The numbers were not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations.

For all of 2010, most industries added jobs locally, led by government’s gain of 4,600 positions. Education and health services together added 2,900 jobs, leisure/hospitality added 1,900, and manufacturing added 900.

 

Job losers during the year included mining/logging/construction, down 500, information, down 1,000, and both wholesale and retail trade.

 

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

Texas adds 230,800 jobs in 2010

Texas added 20,000 jobs in December and was up a total 230,800 over a year ago, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday.

The state’s unemployment rate, however, rose to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent from both a month and a year earlier, as the number of people looking for work rose.

The state lost 359,000 jobs in 2009.

Seven of 11 industries added jobs statewide in December over the previous month, led by construction, which added 8,700 jobs.

"The annual job growth rate in Texas has steadily risen every month during the past 12 months," Tom Pauken, the Workforce Commission chairman, said.

Texas had a total 10.449 million nonfarm jobs in December. Here’s a look at Texas industries, total December jobs, change over a year earlier, and change over November:

Mining and logging: 228,600, up 29,400, up 1,400

Construction: 586,300, up 32,300, up 8,700

Manufacturing: 840,500, up 28,000, up 3,100

Trade, transportation and utilities: 2,040,600, down 3,200, down 300

Information: 187,800, down 12,900, down 800

Financial activities: 631,100, up 4,900, up 800

Professional and business services: 1,287,300, up 64,100, down 3,300

Education and health services: 1,407,200, up 46,000, down 4,500

Leisure and hospitality: 1,026,600, up 25,000, up 6,600

Other services: 368,800, up 12,200, up 3,400

Government: 1,844,900, up 5,000, up 4,900

The state’s civilian labor force rose to 12.21 million in December from 12.17 million a month earlier, and 12 million a year earlier.

The Fort Worth-Arlington area had 858,300 nonfarm jobs in December, compared to 850,000 a year earlier. The area’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.9 percent from 8.2 percent a month earlier and 8 percent in December 2009.

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

The outrageous things job candidates do in interviews

CareerBuilder has a new survey out on the stupid things job candidates do in interviews. 

Based on a national survey of 2,400 hiring managers conducted Nov. 15-Dec. 2, here are some outrageous blunders by candidates:

• Provided a detailed listing of how previous employer made them mad.
• Hugged hiring manager at the end of the interview.
• Ate all the candy from the candy bowl while trying to answer questions.
• Constantly bad-mouthed spouse.
• Blew her nose and lined up the used tissues on the table in front of her.
• Brought a copy of their college diploma that had obviously been white-outed and their name added.
• Wore a hat that said “take this job and shove it.”
• Talked about how an affair cost him a previous job.
• Threw his beer can in the outside trashcan before coming into the reception office.
• Had a friend come in and ask “HOW MUCH LONGER?”

 Common mistakes:

• Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview – 71 percent
• Dressing inappropriately – 69 percent
• Appearing disinterested – 69 percent
• Appearing arrogant – 66 percent
• Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer – 63 percent
• Chewing gum – 59 percent
• Not providing specific answers – 35 percent
• Not asking good questions – 32 percent

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

Legoland Grapevine looking for new master builder

As fantasy jobs go, Tarrant may have its share.

The city of Fort Worth employs cowboys for its daily cattle drive. Local breweries have beer tasters; Lake Grapevine has fishing guides. Others find their dreams working for Texas Motor Speeway, the Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys — or the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Here’s a new one for the mix: Lego master builder. Legoland Discovery Center, opening in March at Grapevine Mills Mall, is auditioning for someone to get paid to play with Legos. Faced with millions of Lego bricks, job seekers at the audition will have to prove their skill and imagination by a series of challenges.

A panel of judges — adults and children — will choose 10 finalists. They’ll compete in a build-off for the top job.

The audition is 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, at AT&T Plaza at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The final contest will be noon-2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, at Grapevine Mills Mall.

 Only big kids get a shot at this: Applicants must be 18 or older. To audition, candidates must register in advance by filling out an online application at www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com. Questions? Call 972-539-9386.

The new Grapevine Legoland Discovery Center also has job openings posted on its site for a marketing coordinator, retail manager, technical manager, and finance manager. 

 - Lois Norder, Star-Telegram

Fall retail hiring up sharply; will consumers go back into hibernation?

Retailers nationally raised payrolls by a net 646,300 jobs between October and December, up 28.9 percent over 2009, the Challenger, Gray & Christmas outplacement firm said Monday, citing federal Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.

“While November hiring was about the same as a year earlier, October and December hiring was the heaviest it’s been in several years,” Challenger said.

December’s retail employment grew by 181,900 positions, the largest December gain since 2005, Challenger said. October saw an increase of 146,800 retail jobs, the largest gain for that month since 2006.

“It turns out the additional hiring was warranted, as retailers experienced their best holiday sales season in several years,” John Challenger, the firm’s CEO, said. “It is too soon to say that the consumer is back, but the level of holiday spending certainly suggests that optimism is on the rise.”

“Now, the question is whether the consumer will go into post-holiday hibernation,” Challenger said. “If there’s any indication that some of the spending power will persist into the new year, retailers may keep some of the temporary seasonal workers on a permanent basis.”

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

Six Flags Over Texas hiring 800 for Spring 2011

UPDATES: This hiring fair is for Six Flags Over Texas only; Hurricane Harbor's will come later; Six Flags also is boosting hiring over last year's; job fair will be inside the park.

Six Flags Over Texas is hiring about 800 people for the Spring, and will hold its annual winter job fair, Saturday Jan. 15-Monday Jan. 17 and Saturday-Sunday Jan. 22-23. The hiring fair will be inside the park.

Jobs are both “front-line and supervisor level” in guest services, food, games, retail, rides and park services, security, entertainment, and revenue control, Six Flags said.

“Securing one of these highly sought-after positions will not only be a guaranteed ticket to fun and a thrilling experience with unlimited incentives...but an exceptional opportunity to learn and work with talented individuals at the largest theme park in North Texas,” Six Flags said.

Interested applicants should apply online at www.sixflagsjobs.com before interviewing at the fair, Six Flags says. For more info, contact Six Flags human resources at 817-640-8900, x. 4200.

The hiring fair is only for Six Flags Over Texas. Hiring for the sister park Hurricane Harbor will come later, said Sharon Parker, a spokeswoman for both parks.

Six Flags is expecting 2,000 or more applicants to turn out for the January fair, Parker said.

The 800 positions represent an increase over the 700 Six Flags was looking to hire at the start of last year, Parker said.

"Staffing needs have increased in preparation for the 2011 operating season and more importantly our 50^th Anniversary" this year, Parker said.

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

USAA opening Addison center, hiring 200 financial advisers

USAA, the San Antonio financial services company, plans to open a 75,000-square-foot center in Addison this year that will employ 200 financial advisers, the company said Monday.

The center will open at midyear at 2 Addison Circle, said Wayne Peacock, executive vice president of member experience. The company plans for the center to employ 200 Series 7 licensed advisers by 2012, he said.

The advisers will consult with clients on life planning, insurance and investments, mostly by telephone and videoconferencing from other USAA operations. But the center will also have a small operation that will allow clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to come in and visit with advisers face to face, Peacock said.

USAA will "seed" the center with some advisers from other USAA offices, but the company expects to hire most of its new advisers locally, Peacock said.

"Dallas represents net growth for the organization," he said.

USAA expects to hire mostly people who already have Series 7 securities licenses, Peacock said. The firm has similar operations in San Antonio; Tampa, Fla.; and Colorado Springs, Colo.

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