圣诞老人也难逃当下就业寒冬

Group 1 - The recruitment market for Santa Claus positions is experiencing a decline, mirroring the overall employment market trend, with a 35% drop in job openings since 2024 [4][11] - There is a significant wage disparity, with Santa Clauses possessing natural beards earning an average hourly wage of $30.84, compared to $21.83 for those using fake beards, reflecting a $9 difference [3][9] - The demand for "real-bearded Santas" has surged over the past three years, leading to increased wages for this specific group, despite the overall reduction in job availability [4][11] Group 2 - The hiring criteria for Santa Claus positions have become more stringent, with 70% of job listings now requiring a natural beard, up from just 14% in 2022 [11] - The median hourly wage for Santa Claus positions has risen from $21.89 in 2022 to $25 in the current year [11] - Factors contributing to this trend include tightening retail budgets, increasing vacancy rates in shopping malls, and a shift towards online shopping, which has diminished traditional holiday experiences [11]