JOB FAIR KICKS OFF FOR HOLIDAY HIRING.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

The Oaks mall opened its holiday job fair on Monday, with 70 stores, ranging from major department stores to small retailers, needing up to 700 workers to help get them through the holiday season.

Sponsored by the state Employment Development Department and the Conejo Youth Employment Service, the hiring and screening will continue today from noon to 6 p.m. near Robinsons-May.

``There's a lot of work here,'' said Dolores Brum, a representative of the state EDD. ``They need people now.''

Depending on experience and the type of job, workers can earn from minimum wage at $5.75 to $10 an hour, she said. Some jobs have commissions.

Brum and her staff interview job candidates to determine the person's interests, skills and shifts they can work.

``We try to match that up with three, four referrals,'' she said.

One shop owner needs people immediately, Brum said.

``He's looking for people who can interview today and start tomorrow,'' she said.

With demand for workers high, more experienced workers may be able to ask higher wages from employers.

``They've discovered that they have to pay a little more to get the person,'' Brum said.

Other shops use merchandise discounts of up to 20 percent as incentives, she said.

``That's really good if you have to buy Christmas stuff,'' Brum said.

Job candidates should come dressed appropriately for the interview and might want to bring a resume, she said. Although the job fair workers do not require either of those things, candidates might get sent right over to the store for an interview.

McDonald's needs about 50 people to staff its mall store, which closed three months ago and is reopening Nov. 20 at a new location, said Manuela Hernandez, store manager.

``Right now we have every position open,'' Hernandez said.

Many of the positions will continue past the holidays because the store is new, she said. The store needs workers age 14 and up, but not everyone who works there is a teen-ager, Hernandez said.

``It's a mixture,'' she said. ``We're looking for any age.''

The new Nickelodeon store, which opens Nov. 25, needs 25 more workers to get through the holidays, said Kelly McDonel, the store's manager. Because the store is new, about 20 employees will be kept on permanently, McDonel said.

Nickelodeon needs people age 16 or older who like to have fun at work, she said.

``It's a totally different atmosphere than other retail,'' McDonel said. ``They have to be outgoing, enthusiastic and really enjoy kids. It's a very fun company.''

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Photo

PHOTO Stephanie Villalobos, left, of Santa Paula and Daron Olsen, 17, interview for seasonal jobs at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.

David Sprague/Daily News