While the job market sputters, seasonal hiring offers a lifeline

Elizabeth Armitage had been unemployed for more than two months after a layoff, when she was hired for a contract stint as the study abroad coordinator at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. “I was looking for anything at that point,” she said. A month later, she became a full-time employee. “Once the school year started, they needed some boots on the ground in the position ASAP,” Armitage said. “I call it the longest work interview ever. But it gave me a chance to get to know the team.” For job seeke ...