christmas | Journey

Maximize Your Seasonal Job

By leidson on Friday, December 27, 2013

Have you ever wondered if your seasonal job could potentially lead to a full-time opportunity? If you take the right steps, there’s a great chance that it can. Throughout the holidays, managers pay close attention to holiday help. They look to see which temporary employees have the characteristics and skills of full-time and long-term employees. Many seasonal employees may plan to work for only a few weeks, but some people desire to keep their position long after Christmas. If you’re interested in staying on full-time or working at the same place again next year, here are a few ideas to keep in mind as your seasonal work wraps up.

Impress the Boss
If you desire to keep your seasonal job, it’s important to show your boss you mean business. In some sense, a seasonal job is like an extended interview. So if you want to become a full-time employee and work more than just during the holiday season, impress your boss with your actions and work ethic. It’s also okay to let your manager know about your wish to work full-time. Let them know how much you’re enjoying yourself. Managers like to know their employees are excited about coming to work every day. Tell your boss you would be able to help during other peak times and ask when they expect that to be so you can follow up.

Be Personable
Attitude matters. Employers appreciate employees who get along with customers and co-workers. Customer service is an important quality to have. With the high traffic and busyness of the holidays, people can be rude and lack manners, especially when they’re shopping through crowds and looking for last-minute gifts. To handle not-to-so nice people, it’s necessary for businesses to have employees who show great customer service and holiday cheer.

Stay Positive
Keep in mind, your manager may not be able to hire you full-time at the end of the season, but he or she will likely be willing to write a letter of recommendation, which can help you find employment at another company.Get the most out of your experience. Update your resume with your recent assignment; connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn. Let your manager know if you are looking for full-time work and if they can keep you in mind if they hear of anything. Follow up in a few months with an update on your current employment status.

Do you have tips on how to keep a holiday job? Share with us in the comments section below.

At Work Work/Life Balance

Do’s and Don’ts for Dirty Santa

By leidson on Monday, December 9, 2013

As the Christmas season quickly approaches, many people are preparing for holiday parties and events. Preparing for Christmas parties can be stressful, but choosing which games to play, or which gifts to give, shouldn’t be. If you’re thinking about exchanging gifts at your work Christmas party, keep in mind that everyone may not have the same budget or allowance for gifts. Dirty Santa, White Elephant and Secret Santa are fun and easy options that won’t break anyone’s piggy bank. It allows people to get creative with gift ideas and it’s interactive so everyone can join in on the fun.

If your office is planning on playing games at your Christmas party this year, here are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind:

1. Do bring a gift within the price range. Don’t feel obligated to spend the exact amount at the upper end of the limit, but be reasonable so no one feels cheated.

2. Don’t forget that Christmas parties are company events, so you should act accordingly, even if others aren’t being professional. Keep in mind your company culture and workplace etiquette.

3. Do go to the Christmas party! Make an appearance, spend time with your co-workers, play games, and have fun. Remember your leadership has planned the party and worked hard to make you feel appreciated.

4. Don’t bring a questionable gift. (Anything that could embarrass you or a co-worker isn’t a good idea.)

5. Do thank the people who hosted the event. Let them know you appreciate them taking the time to plan everything.

If you’re new to your workplace, ask around to see how things have gone at previous Christmas parties. For more Dirty Santa rules, check out this great article from CareerBuilder.

What are some rules you play by with work-related gift giving? Share with us in the comments section below.

At Work Work/Life Balance

The Workplace Holiday Party: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

By Jared Cole on Monday, December 10, 2012

You know it’s coming. You see the flier in the break room, you get the email, or maybe you find the announcement in your paycheck. Either way, the workplace holiday party is quickly approaching. For some employees, that internal struggle builds inside while stressed with the same question that plagues them every year – “Do I want to go or not?”

It’s a good question. Different organizations have different expectations on attendance, participation, and etiquette at a holiday party. Depending on how personal you are with your co-workers, the holiday party could feel like one of the most awkward two hours of your life trapped inside a room.

If you have to ask yourself this question, you may not want to go. If you’ve been with a company for several years, you may know what is acceptable; but if you’re new to the job, expectations may not be so apparent. Here are some things to consider before deciding whether or not to attend the workplace holiday party.

Your Employer is Saying “Thank You”
Your managers, leaders, and executives know you work hard, but they can’t always express that gratitude in more ways than just saying, “Great job, and thank you.” For many employers, this is their big chance to let employees know how much they appreciate them. If you have a company holiday get-together, feel fortunate. According to the Huffington Post, only 44% of senior managers said that their company was planning an office holiday party this year.

Now is Your Chance!
So you think your co-workers are boring, annoying, or just unpleasant? Is the company party a drag? Change it! They won’t get any more fun if you avoid them. Maybe all you have to do is make your own fun. Still, keep in mind your company culture and workplace etiquette, but these types of events are only as much fun as you put into them.

This also might be a chance for you to develop or learn new skills. Consider asking your HR department about who plans and organizes the holiday party and volunteer your time if possible. If you can plan and prepare a holiday party that you would want to attend, you and your co-workers are much more likely to come. It can also give you a chance to demonstrate your involvement and passion to leadership and senior executives, which could lead to future career opportunities.

Real Life Has Real Responsibilities
We all have personal lives outside of work, with some of us having family responsibilities. While some employers see their workers as a family, they may fail to remember that employees all have duties and obligations after closing time. Remember what is important to you, and keep them first on your list of priorities. They might conflict with the company holiday gathering or they might not. Just be true to what means the most to you.

Having a good, fair, and balanced judgment will help you make the decision to attend or skip the office holiday festivities. There’s a lot to consider, but it should be more than just not feeling like it. Don’t forget to tell us your favorite workplace party moments in the comments section below.

Career Options The Job Search

‘Tis the Season to Find Holiday Work

By Jared Cole on Friday, November 9, 2012

If you haven’t already considered it, now is a great time to start applying for holiday jobs to get some introductory work experience, make some extra money, or get your foot in the door with an employer. Whatever your reasons, companies are hiring now to fill the huge demand for workers this holiday season.

Forbes is reporting that more than 700,000 seasonal jobs will be created this quarter, which is an increase over last year’s holiday hiring numbers. If you have what employers are looking for, they’re willing to hire someone who is dependable and accountable.

Think Big
Contrary to popular belief, seasonal work doesn’t always mean standing behind a register, stocking shelves, or delivering packages. Not only is there a demand for sales clerks this season, but there is also a need for customer service representatives, product demonstrators, package wrappers, online and call center service representatives, and even actors to portray Santa and his elves.

You also don’t have to think of just retail. Restaurants generally look for extra wait staff, greeters, or even bartenders during the holidays too. Check around your small local stores instead of the normal big chains to see if they could use extra help. Mall kiosks, catering companies, florists, and small boutiques usually add extra staff for the holidays, and can provide more flexible hours.

Think Together
Two heads are better than one, and if you multiply that logic by how many heads are in your network, then you can have a great source and opportunity to find the holiday job that’s right for you. Meet with friends, family, and contacts who work at companies that are planning to hire this season to see if they know of any positions that could be available.

While 700,000 open holiday spots may seem like a lot, it can still be fairly competitive to get one, not to mention a specific job that you might be looking for. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a friend or family member working on the inside who can vouch for your hard work and reliability. You’ll have a better chance of getting noticed, which could lead to a greater chance of getting hired full time if the situation allows.

Think Familiar
Odds are, there are a number of businesses that you frequently shop at throughout the week. Take advantage of the relationships you’ve built with the owner or employees of your favorite shops to see if there are any seasonal jobs available during the holidays. If you’re a loyal customer, it would be easier for them to add you to the team and you could have a better chance of enjoying working there for a few months.

Don’t forget about other activities throughout your day. Your passions and hobbies can lead you to places that could need help during the holidays. You already have a great knowledge base and it’s something you’re generally interested in, which makes you an ideal job candidate for any employer who is associated with your hobbies.

If you want to find the top companies hiring for the holidays, you can check out this list from AOL. What are some of your most fun or unusual seasonal jobs? Tell your story in the comments below.

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