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Jackson Hewitt Holds Week-Long Hiring Event to Fill 25,000 Seasonal Jobs

Adam Hardy

by Adam Hardy

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Seasonal jobs aren’t just for retail. And tax jobs aren’t just for CPAs.

Jackson Hewitt, the nation’s second-largest tax preparation services company, is filling 25,000 job openings ahead of the 2020 tax season. To jumpstart the hiring process, the company is hosting National Hiring Week across an estimated 6,000 tax-services locations.

The multi-day event runs Nov. 11-15. Individual locations pick their own time and date within that range. 

During the event, candidates can walk into any local Jackson Hewitt location — 3,000 of which are located inside Walmart stores — to ask questions, apply and be interviewed on the spot for predominantly two seasonal positions: tax preparer or client support associate.

“We are looking for qualified candidates who are focused on delivering the best customer experience to join our team, regardless of their experience,” CEO Alan D. Ferber said in a statement. 

 Client support associates are on the front lines of Jackson Hewitt stores. They greet customers, verify and enter W-2 information into a database and field calls regarding basic tax and appointment information. To qualify, applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and the ability to carry up to 55 pounds. Bonus points for previous customer service or sales experience. 

The tax preparer positions are more selective. Applicants with call center experience and an Enrolled Agent certification are preferred. Basic requirements include a high school diploma, some related experience in retail, sales or customer support, and a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued by the IRS. Tax preparers conduct in-person interviews with customers to help them fill out and file tax forms correctly. They consult company materials and government regulations to answer nuanced tax questions.  

PTINs are used to track and publically list tax preparers in an IRS database. The process of obtaining one, according to the IRS, takes 20 minutes. Basic tax return information and other personal information is required during PTIN registration.

Jackson Hewitt did not respond to The Penny Hoarder’s questions about pay, but numerous Glassdoor reviews indicate hourly wages for both positions are between $10 and $11. Seasonal workers aren’t eligible for typical benefits packages, but all Jackson Hewitt employees can receive free continuing education courses in tax preparation.

The tax courses count as college credit at the University of Phoenix and may be applied toward the IRS’s Enrolled Agent certification requirements.

How to Prepare for an on-the-Spot Hiring Event

Walking into a store alongside dozens of other candidates may sound taxing. We’ve compiled tips from hiring event recruiters to help you feel confident.

  1. Check if you need to apply online

    Each location is unique. Some may have application stations for you to apply to a position on-site. Other smaller stores may not. Always double check beforehand. And having an extra resume on-hand will never hurt.

  2. Dress business casual

    Business casual is a safe way to go for most entry-level positions. If you’re unsure, drop by the store before the day of the event and scout out what employees are wearing. Then match your outfit to the job you want.

  3. Be ready to interview

    During an event, it’s common for a hiring manager to ask a few screener questions, and if all goes well, interview you on-the-spot. Come prepared to answer behavior-based questions, which gauge how you react under certain circumstances.

For additional tips, read our guide to preparing for an in-store hiring event. Then go get yourself a new job.

Adam Hardy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. He specializes in ways to make money that don’t involve stuffy corporate offices. Read his ​latest articles here, or say hi on Twitter @hardyjournalism.