Need a Job? These Firms Are Hiring Now (BLOG)

The fourth quarter gets a bum rap when it comes to hiring, but if you're a job seeker, you shouldn't completely discount the final ...

The fourth quarter gets a bum rap when it comes to hiring, but if you're a job seeker, you shouldn't completely discount the final months of the year. Though it is true that some industries put the brakes on hiring during Q4, November can actually be a fruitful time for job seekers.

For one, many employers want to get positions filled before the holiday season kicks into high gear, motivating hiring managers to make decisions before Thanksgiving. Plus, hiring for holiday positions ramps up in November as hospitality, retail and transportation companies scramble to get staff in place before busy season begins. Finally, the end of the year can mean less competition for job seekers, since many people put their searches on hold until the New Year in order to enjoy the holiday season.
Still need proof that it's possible to get a job before 2012? All 15 of these companies are currently hiring:

1. Ascend Performance Materials
Industry: Manufacturing
Number of openings: 52
Sample job titles: Chemical manufacturing engineer, senior project manager
Location: Ala., Fla., S.C., Texas,

2. Bunge
Industry: Global food/Agribusiness
Number of openings: 50+
Sample job titles: Senior accountant, grain management trainees, operations manager, sales support specialist, engineer, business analyst, human resources manager, grain operations manager, export documentation specialist, grain merchandiser, trader
Location: Ark., Ala., Calif., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kan., Ky., La., Miss., Mo., Neb., N.J., Tenn., Texas, Va.

3. CareOne/HealthBridge Management
Industry: Senior care
Number of openings: 200+
Sample job titles:  Physical therapist, occupational therapist, RN
Location: Conn., Mass., Mich., N.J., Ohio, Penn., Va.

4. Chico's FAS (Chico's, Soma Intimates, White House/Black Market, Boston Proper)
 Industry:  Women's apparel retail sales/marketing
Number of openings: 1,000+
Sample job titles:  Corporate positions, store manager, sales associate, visual manager, learning and development
Location: Nationwide for in-store positions; Ft. Myers, Fla. for corporate positions.

5. Convergys
Industry: Outsourcing
Number of openings: 13,000
Samples job titles: Program management director, sales, customer service, tech support
Location: Nationwide

6. FirstFleet, Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Number of openings: 75 - 80
Sample job titles: Class A CDL drivers, transportation manager and transportation dispatcher
Location: Nationwide

7. InVentiv Health
Industry: Pharmaceutical/Biotech
Number of openings: 250
Sample job titles: Pharmaceutical sales representative, clinical nurse educator, database administrator, utilization review nurse auditor
Location: Nationwide

8. The Kroger Co.
Industry:  Grocery/retail/manufacturing
Number of openings: 10,000+  
Sample job titles: Pharmacy technician, management trainees, customer first clerk, maintenance technician, Java developer
Location: Nationwide

9. Loving Care Agency
Industry: Health care
Number of openings: 75 +
Sample job titles: Branch manager, clinical manager, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, home health aides
Location: Ariz., Ill., Ind., Mass., N.J., Penn.

10. Macy's
Industry: Retail
Number of openings: 78,000
Sample job titles: Holiday retail sales, holiday loss prevention, by appointment executive, fulfillment center manager, developer
Location: Nationwide

11. Panera Bread Company
Industry: Restaurant
Number of openings: 225
Sample job titles: Restaurant manager, catering coordinator, helpdesk, regional facilities manager
Location: Throughout the U.S. and Toronto, Canada

12. PNC Bank
Industry: Banking, mortgage lending, securities
Number of openings: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Mortgage loan officer, bank branch manager, part-time teller, financial advisor, software engineer
Location: Chicago, Milwaukee, D.C., New Jersey (multiple locations), Florida (multiple locations), Ohio

13. Reyes Holdings LLC
Industry: Transportation
Number of openings: 50+
Sample job titles: Drivers, warehouse workers, sales account managers, IT, finance
Location: Nationwide

14. Tara Therapy
Industry: Health care
Number of openings: 50
Sample job titles: PT, OT, ST, CODA
Location: Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia

15. Walden Security
Industry: Security services provider
Number of openings: 50
Sample job titles: Unarmed security officer, EMT/security officer, force protection officer, general manager
Locations: Nationwide