The company is looking to hire 300 people for positions at its City Target store at the Metreon at 4th and Mission streets.
Shakeyla O'Cain arrived at the Target job fair at 7 a.m. Soon hundreds of applicants lined up behind her.
The job market has been tough. O' Cain has been job hunting for six long months. "It's kind of a letdown but then it's just more motivation for me to keep going," she said.
People filled out applications the old-fashioned way and online at the job fair Thursday.
Bernadette Fenske said she brings years of experience. She worked for Marriott Hotels. "I was laid off. I worked there 14 years," she said.
By Saturday Target plans to fill 300 positions to staff the new San Francisco store. The first of its kind, it will cater to urban customers. Target hopes to open similar stores in other cities like Los Angeles and Seattle.
Target said no prior experience is needed. Applicants just need to show enthusiasm for the job and demonstrate a "can-do attitude."
The store says hiring will happen fast. "For some positions we are job offering on the spot and so we hope to get those team members started and in training as soon as possible," said Target executive team leader Shannon Rosales.
The new urban prototype Target store will open October 14 on the second floor of the Metreon complex, offering shoppers smaller packaging of products for a city lifestyle. The retailer is on pace nationally to open 15 stores this year. San Francisco is number 11.
Target is asking for people to arrive with resumes and to be prepared to interview. Target said their main goal is to find new employees so that they don't have to transfer people from other stores.
A background check is conducted before anyone is officially on the books. As for salaries and benefits, Target officials said they are offering competitive packages.
Dennis Tran interviewed Thursday. He was told to expect a call sometime next week. "I waited three hours in the heat and it's totally worth it so I hope they call me," he said.
If you want to get a jump on the competition, you can apply online for a lot of the positions.
Target is accepting applications from walk-in applicants from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
