A Sure Sign of Spring
Over the years, we have come to realize how unreliable Punxsutawney Phil — the world’s most famous groundhog — is at predicting when spring will arrive.
I have found that one of the best predictors of impending springdom is when I receive press releases from the Home Depot and Lowe’s announcing their hiring plans for the upcoming season.
This spring the top two home improvement retailers are really ramping things up as they have announced plans to hire nearly 135,000 associates to work in their lawn and garden departments.
The Home Depot is looking to fill 80,000 positions for its busiest selling season. To aid in the hiring process, the company is introducing a new online tool called Candidate Self-Service. This tool allows individuals to fill out an online application and then to self-schedule in-person interviews at the company’s 2,200+ stores.
Candidates who have completed an application for an open job in a Home Depot store or distribution center can easily choose the most convenient interview appointment available. About 80 percent of the Home Depot’s candidates have taken advantage of the tool since the pilot began this past November.
At Lowe’s, the company has plans to add 53,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees to the company’s nearly 250,000 current U.S. store employees.
On Feb. 21, Lowe’s stores nationwide will open their doors to candidates during the company’s first National Hiring Day. The event is an opportunity to meet hiring managers, speak with associates and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours in an open house atmosphere at the company’s more than 1,700 stores.
The Home Depot and Lowe’s are getting ready for spring, how are your plans coming along? Drop me a line at thodson@greatamericanpublish.com and let me know.