If you’re on the job hunt this holiday season, there’s good news that can impact you now: according to SnagaJob.com’s third annual survey, overall seasonal hiring is expected to increase 26 % from last year. 

The National Retail Federation forecasts increased sales in response to the economy’s recovery, as shoppers may be more willing to spend this year than in recent Christmases past. As a result of the predicted uptick, businesses will need extra workers to keep customers content in spite of the usual hustle and bustle.  A seasonal job can be the perfect opportunity to show why you’d make a great full-time employee.

Make your own opportunity.

Positions like seasonal work that get your foot in the door are a great way to train quickly, learn about the business, and fill a need. Think of a seasonal job as an evaluative period to test your skills and prove that you’re up to any challenge. It’s also a chance for you to see if the organization is somewhere you’d like to work full-time. Making yourself indispensable is the key to being retained long after the garland and wreaths come down.

Tips to make any seasonal worker shine.

• Be on time: Perhaps more during the holidays than ever, employers need workers to show up when they’re scheduled. Think of how being on time can positively impact others: it lets your co-workers get a break, prevents lines from forming, and reduces that harried ambience. More than that, punctuality shows that you’re responsible and can be trusted to effectively manage professional obligations in addition to your personal life.
• Show genuine interest: If you don’t want this job to be just a temporary position, don’t treat it like one. Learn all you can about the company and how to perform tasks in an efficient, precise manner that’ll come in handy during crunch time, i.e., Black Friday, the days after Christmas, etc. You’ll show that you can adapt quickly and perform well under pressure.
• Tap into holiday cheer: You may hear “Jingle Bells” played on repeat for the next several weeks, but do your best to push past that stagnancy by remembering what you love about the holidays. Surveys consistently list attitude as the best attribute of a seasonal worker. Stay motivated by focusing on the big picture: how to make yourself stand out.
  Respect others: No matter how great the rush, show respect to customers, managers, and co-workers alike. There’s no excuse for surly service. Show that you’re the team member others can rely on to stay calm and helpful, no matter what comes your way.

 Get that job or get a great reference.

The characteristics employers typically seek – being responsible, calm under pressure, and able to handle multiple tasks – can be demonstrated in an immediate way. Even if your manager can’t hire you full-time at the end of the season, he or she will likely be willing to write a glowing letter of recommendation. If you build your reputation from the first day, you may not soon see your last, so do your best to make that seasonal job count.