With a little more than a hundred days until Christmas, CNBC reports that retailers are already gearing up for the holiday season. To some, this may seem too early – after all, school just started back and most people probably haven’t even started planning their Halloween costumes. But, the end of the third quarter is when businesses begin implementing their holiday season game plan, and if you want to get a holiday job, this is your time to starting planning too.
Whether you want a seasonal position to supplement your current job or just need a job, period, there are some ways you can help your search along. Check out these three tips to ensure you make the most of this year’s holiday hiring season.
Start Now
If businesses are already thinking about the holidays, then so should you. Right now is when you should brainstorm places to apply and get your application turned in. Don’t wait until November. Most employers want their seasonal staff trained and in place before the shopping rush begins. By applying at the beginning of the holiday season, you are also more likely to get the type of position and schedule you want.
Think Beyond the Big Names
As you make your list of places to apply, don’t just focus on the big name retailers. The super stores aren’t the only ones who need holiday help. Local retail shops and boutiques also normally increase their staff for the Christmas shopping season. Shipping companies, restaurants, customer service centers, flower shops, caterers, and event centers usually hire additional workers as well.
Another place to apply for holiday work is with a staffing company. Filing out a single application with a staffing company will actually put you in the running for many different positions with a variety of businesses. Often, when companies hire multiple new employees for holiday seasons, they work with staffing providers who are better equipped to find, screen, and hire large numbers of workers. Just make sure you do your homework and only apply with a reputable staffing company.
View It As a Springboard
While it’s always a good idea to try and find a job that you’ll enjoy, you may need to take the best seasonal position available and view it as a springboard. You can learn something new and take away at least one or two valuable skills from any job, so keep a positive attitude. Being dependable, communicating with customers, and multi-tasking are just a few examples of good qualities you can take away from a holiday job. So don’t overlook or turn down a position just because it’s not the perfect job for you.
At the same time, once you get the job, don’t over step your bounds just because you think you’re underemployed. For instance, if your background is in marketing, don’t presume you can take a cashier position and immediately start giving input into the company’s marketing practices. Show your new employer that you can excel at the job they gave you by effectively and efficiently completing your duties. There is always the chance that your employer will like what they see and your seasonal job could turn into the professional, full-time position you were hoping for.
A holiday job is a great way to earn some extra cash, add more experience to your resume, or even make your debut into the workforce. This is the perfect time to start your search and land a good seasonal position, so don’t delay. What experiences have you had with holiday jobs? Has one of your seasonal positions ever turned into a good, full-time career? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
