Earlier this month, a two-day job fair to fill some 500 part-time jobs at the stadium during baseball season drew about 7, 000 applicants.

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Some people pick up part-time jobs around this time of year: plenty of places need seasonal workers, from stores at the mall to apple orchards.

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That doesn't include folks who have had to accept part-time jobs or, in some cases, have given up finding a job altogether.

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Some retirees might still earn income from part-time work or occasional consulting jobs, or they may have a spouse who still works full- or part-time.

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Some employers get round the most restrictive red tape by offering short-term contracts and part-time jobs.

ECONOMIST: Jobs