HELP finding JOBS!!!?

i'm a college student looking for part time work in pennsylvania. i'm looking for a simple retail job which shouldn't be that hard...but it's like immposiible. almost every store i walk into insists that you apply online. it's really piisssing me off because ive filled out like a million online applications and you never hear back. i talked to somone at one of the stores i applied for and he said he never even got my application. so for all i know, maybe only half of them even got through. why is it so hard to find a retail job? this is rediculous? is anyone else in PA or in general having this problem? id appreciate any advice on how to find a job of this sort. also...i'm interested in art/advertising/photography if there's in easy in to one of those feilds. are there any specific stores that seem to be hire friendly ex(office max,radio shack). and i'm really not cool with fast food so don't bother listing those ones.

or just listing some paces would help(:

Have you noticed the huge sales and ridiculous discounts that retailers have (and still are) giving this Christmas?

We are in a recession and retail sales are wayyyyyy down.

You aren't getting called because the stores have already hired seasonal help, and now will be laying them all off.

Just keep trying. My suggestion would be to go to smaller (not national) stores and apply in person. Go back 2 or 3 times a week and ask the manager if anything has opened up.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, especially in a bad economy.

ps- the government statistics are BS, unemployment is way above 4.9% and we are not "maybe" going into a recession, we are a good year into it.

i would recommend looking at craigslist. you'd be surprised at what you can find on that site! you an click right on retail/sales jobs and there are tons of options- if you don't find something right away, keep checking back! the site updates all the time! good luck!

Most stores use the online system linked to a data processing/HR thing called unicru which is supposed to help them screen applicants and make it easier to conduct hiring processes. That is why you are having to fill out all those online applications. Just keep doing them, eventually you will get somewhere.