SALEM — Job-seekers put their best foot forward at the Mall at Rockingham Park's second annual job fair Tuesday.

Mall retailers met with a steady stream of potential employees for seasonal and part-time work. About 600 positions were available, according to Emily Hoang, director of mall marketing and business development.

“The turnout was good but not as good as last year,” Hoang said.

About 300 people attended Tuesday's early evening event, compared with 400 to 500 last year, Hoang said. The job fair is one of the biggest events held at the mall. Based on positive feedback after last year's event, an hour was added to the fair, and it was moved up about three weeks, she said.

While some retailers got a jump start on their holiday hiring, others will start ramping up their hiring efforts within the next few weeks, she said.

Job-seekers put serious effort into the search.

Nancy Fernandez of Lawrence, Mass., applies for part-time work at the mall every holiday season. She's noticed some additional competition this year.

“It's a little tough,” Fernandez said. “There are a lot of people out of work.”

This year she applied to a number of new stores in addition to the ones where she's held seasonal employment in the past, Fernandez said.

Her daughters, Heather, a high school junior, and Kanisha, a sophomore, joined their mother in the job search this year.

It's an opportunity for them to gain some work experience and take on some of their clothing expenses, Fernandez said.

Karen Ormazo, a high school senior from Lawrence, was attending her first job fair at the suggestion of her brother's girlfriend. The private school Ormazo attends requires students to work five days a month to help pay for tuition.

Ormazo is hoping that experience will help her land a part-time job to pay for a car, gas and college tuition.

“I definitely want to get a job here,” Ormazo said. “The mall is so friendly. You meet new people and it's fun.”

Full-time Middlesex Community College student Brittany Donoghue got her first job at the Mall at Rockingham Park and came to the job fair looking for something part time.

“I've been applying everywhere this year,” Donoghue said. “You need a job now if you're a college student.”

Her previous retail experience drew a lot of interest and Donoghue has scheduled three interviews so far.

Recalling that she filled out applications for about a year before getting her first job, Donoghue advises other job-seekers to keep trying and stay positive.

“Especially in this economy, that's all you can do,” Donoghue said.

Andrea Shields, also of Lawrence, agreed. Shields is looking for seasonal work to hold her over while she searches for a permanent position. Like many displaced during the recession, Shields is finding that the road to recovery is a bumpy one. She keeps busy chasing every job lead.

“You've just got to keep hitting the pavement or hitting the computer,” Shields said.

Retailers found themselves with a diverse pool of applicants.

Paul Hogan, general manager of Williams-Sonoma, was trying to fill about 20 positions from cashier to stock support.

“We've had some success,” Hogan said. “It's a great cross-section of people.”

Pandora had about 15 positions available for the Christmas season. “As we get closer and closer to Christmas we get wildly busy,” said store manager Beth Valentine.

- - - - - - - -

Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.