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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 The Daily Grind Work/Life Balance

It’s Not Always the More the Merrier, Stay Safe this Season

By leidson on Friday, November 22, 2013

Retailers increase staff, stock, and hopefully, customers during the holiday season. Although this is great for job seekers and businesses alike, the jump in activity also means a jump in potential hazards. Retail employers need to vigilantly ensure the workplace is properly staffed and organized, and that employees are not rushing to complete all tasks to the exclusion of basic safety. You should report any unsafe condition, and supervisors should be instructed to recognize hazardous conditions and respond to them in a manner that supports employee and public safety.

The obvious hazards associated with the season are ones we talk about every day: ergonomic issues leading to numbness and pain as with carpel tunnel syndrome or other muscle and joint problems, or neck and back strain due to heavy lifting. You can protect yourself by using proper lifting techniques, avoiding twisting and reaching overhead as much as possible, and by communicating difficulties to your supervisors. Employers can help by providing well-designed work spaces, appropriate equipment for lifting awkward or oddly shaped loads, and keeping staff at proper levels to promote a safe place for employees.

Since a worker’s death in 2008 when a throng of Black Friday customers stormed a retail establishment and crushed an employee, crowd safety has also come to the forefront during this time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a site dedicated to helping retail employers manage crowds on special event days like Black Friday. The overall message is to plan, communicate to employees, and to customers before opening, and have an emergency response procedure in place.Check out the link to OSHA’s guide for retailers here.

Lastly, an easily overlooked safety concern is the increased hazards to the public shopping in the aisles of retail establishments. With stocking activity much higher during business hours, tasks m ay be in close proximity to customers. Consumers are exposed to more equipment and stock on the sales floor and stocking activity over their heads and feet. Stay safe by moving merchandise and equipment through stores with the help of someone to direct traffic on the aisles, stock heavier items on lower shelves, and stay aware of the special hazards associated with customer interaction.
Everyone must work together during the holiday season to ensure all go home healthy and happy to celebrate with their friends and family.

Career Options The Job Search

3 Tips for Finding a Holiday Job

By Job Journey on Wednesday, September 4, 2013

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.

Networking The Job Search

Celebrate International Update Your References Week

By Jared Cole on Monday, May 6, 2013

The first full week in May is International Update Your References Week. Now is a great time to make sure your contacts maximize your candidacy and their information is current. It’s also a great time to touch base with any references you haven’t talked to in a while.

References are important because outside opinions can provide a positive testimony to your skills, ability, and commitment. To help build, update, or fine-tune your reference list, here are some Movin’ On Up articles that can help.

Top 10 Go-To People For Good Job References
Getting a Good Job Reference After You’ve Been Laid Off
5 Steps to a Brilliant Reference List
3 Tips on How to Ask Someone to Be a Reference
What Makes a Good Reference a Great Reference?
What to Do With Your Job References After you Get the Job

Do you have any questions about your reference list? Let us know in the comments section below and your question could be featured on our blog.

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.

Resumes and Cover Letters The Job Search

Here’s How You Can Celebrate Update Your Resume Month

By Job Journey on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

September is International Update Your Resume Month, which is a great time to put your job search into high gear. Just as students across the country are starting a new school year, job seekers should be taking advantage of this opportunity to inventory what they have learned, along with how they’ve grown in value, and incorporate it into updating their resume.

And even if you aren’t currently job searching, it may be a good time to update your resume. If you’ve had a job for a few years, you probably have learned new skills or have new accomplishments to include on your resume.

To celebrate this occasion and help you with some guidance in updating your resume, here are our top 10 blog posts on resumes. Take a look through these archives and find some inspiration to make your resume stand out.

•    Resume Boot Camp
•   So What’s This Gap in Your Resume?
•   30 Power Words to Power Up Your Resume & Boost Your Job Search
•   Heavyweight Debate: PDF vs. Word Resumes
•   Next at 10: How to Make Your Resume Newsworthy
•   Five Things No Resume Should Ever Say
•   What’s Missing From Your Resume?
•   Give Back and Add Holiday Cheer to Your Resume
•   Five Common Words You Don’t Want On Your Resume
•   Smart Phone Apps for a Smarter Job Search

Do you have any ideas on updating your resume? Let us know in the comments section below.