How to Get a Temporary Job Over the Holidays

Nov. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- There is good news for people looking for temporary work over the holidays:  Many retailers plan to hire more seasonal employees this year than previous years.  

The outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas estimates as many as 60,000 Americans will secure holiday jobs this year.  According to the Los Angeles Times, Toys R Us alone plans to hire 45,000 holiday helpers, and other retail giants are planning to take on 20 to 30 percent more seasonal employees than last year.

“Competition for these jobs will likely be fierce,” according to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti.

“The holiday hiring forecasts however, are an encouraging economic sign, during what has been an extremely difficult couple of years for job-seekers and their families.”

Holiday job hunters should treat this job search as if they were looking for year-round work, since part-time jobs can sometimes turn into full-time employment.  Connecticut BBB says there are several ways applicants can position themselves as ideal candidates:

Start the job search as soon as possible
The key to landing a seasonal job is to start searching early. Retail stores, shipping companies, restaurants and caterers are common sources of seasonal employment, and now is the time for job hunters to determine which job suits them best, identify companies they’d like to work for and begin submitting applications and resumes.  

Apply where you shop
A good starting point is businesses where you shop.
One advantage of applying for work where you shop is that you will already be familiar with the company and its products. In addition, employees often receive store discounts that can range from 20-40 percent, helping pay for holiday expenses.

Put your best foot forward
Even if you are just picking up applications at stores in the mall, dress your best and be prepared for an interview. Preparations include being familiar with the company’s brand and  products.  Retail job hunters in particular need to focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skills—which is a must when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.  

Be flexible
Full-time employees usually have first dibs on the preferred hours and shifts, so, as a seasonal employee, expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours including working on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.  If this is a second job in addition to your day job, be upfront and clear with your new employer about your available hours.

For more advice on making it through the holidays, visit us online at www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-holiday.

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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.