Spooky Economy: Spirit Halloween Stores Buried With Job Applications

It's that time of year again, when the local vacant storefront is taken over by the Halloween costume-and-mask store. But this is also the time of year when Spirit Halloween is buried with job applications, as the nation's spooky economy leads over 1,000 applicants to vie for the 25-to-40 jobs at each location, according to reports.

Some 1,500 people will be hired in the Bay Area to work Spirit Halloween's 45 stores, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Each of those stores has received over 1,000 applications for their several dozen jobs, the newspaper reported.

Why such high demand for temporary, seasonal work? "It's a great way to get a job and get job experience," Amber Young, manager of the Alameda location, told the newspaper. "As long as you're enthusiastic, love Halloween, and are very friendly, I'll hire people even if it's a first job."

The jobs also have high turnover: some workers stay for just a few weeks and then move on, according to the newspaper, meaning the Spirit stores often hire new applicants throughout October.

What do the jobs pay? The reports don't say, nor does the stores' online-only application process. Do they offer benefits, such as a way to pay for the frightening chance of health care? Cue the mad scientists' diabolical laugh.