US market for seasonal work at its most favourable since 2007

Atlanta

WANDA Tucker was hired on the spot for a part-time job with Gap Inc's Banana Republic chain earlier this month after searching for a full-time position since April.

"I thought I was just going in for an interview," said Ms Tucker, 53, of Rex, Georgia, who had finished five years of Army Reserves postings before entering the workforce. "It has been a blessing to have some money coming into the household."

Workers are facing the most favourable job market for seasonal work since the 18-month recession that started in December 2007, getting hired with fewer interviews and in some cases with higher pay.

About 821,000 workers will be hired for retail seasonal jobs this year, up 11 per cent from a year ago and the highest since records were started in 1990, estimated Michael Niemira, former director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers Inc …