Couriers hiring new employees as they prepare for increased online shopping

The pandemic has even more people planning to buy online this holiday shopping season, which means this month could turn into "shipageddon" for couriers. It’s bringing about a seasonal hiring spree in the Twin Cities.

"That is a good opportunity for people looking for some extra holiday cash," said Nicole Hill, with the United States Postal Service.

USPS officials said they’re looking for more than 150 new employees locally while UPS needs at least 900 and FedEx is looking to hire more than 1,200 in the metro area.

"We do like to have the extra help to manage things a little bit more," Hill said. "This has been an extraordinary and unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 and the pandemic."

Many of those jobs can become full-time positions.

The hiring methods are looking different, too. USPS plans on hosting a drive-thru job fair.

Meanwhile, for holiday shoppers, USPS recommends shipping ground packages at least 10 days before their intended arrival so gifts can arrive on time.

USPS has also announced its deadlines for delivery by Christmas (not including Alaska and Hawaii), which can be seen below.

• Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service.
• Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail.
• Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services.
• Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service.
• Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service.
• Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces).
• Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service.
• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express service.