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Step 1
Start looking in late October/early November. The holiday season starts early for most retailers, so they are looking to hire extra employees. They want to have a staff lined up for early shoppers and need the extra manpower on days like Black Friday. Try looking online, but do not discount going in to fill out an application. Most employers are looking for hourly seasonal help, so you could even get hired on the spot!
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Step 2
Focus on your skills--and your availability. While most employers are looking for people with a strong work ethic and outstanding customer service skills, you have to be practical when you think about what they need-- flexibility. Establish all possible hours you can work and peruse your schedule to see if there are any days you cannot work.
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Step 3
Skip the resume. Most holiday jobs are in the retail arena, so you probably will not need a resume to apply. It's great to have one, but you will likely apply in person and be asked more about availability than your past credentials.
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Step 4
Go beyond retail. Selling things isn't the only hot activity for the holidays--things need to be shipped and transported too. So if a cash register is not your thing, explore delivery or warehouse jobs where you can still get fabulous hours and holiday pay.
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Step 5
Remember the market. You may be a senior-level professional, but when it comes to hourly employees, you are no better than the high school students in most cases. Employers will likely value your ability to focus on the job and take things seriously, but try not to think that you deserve the best hours or top pay. It's a seasonal, temporary job and you are in the same boat as all the others applying.
Comments
deric2001 said
on 11/25/2009 Helpful article.thanks.
jladeintheshade said
on 11/6/2009 Good tips. Retailers might be cutting back on employees this year (2009) to save money in a bad economic climate, but if you start early like the article says, you'll probably be fine.