Competition for seasonal jobs is fierce. In addition to the usual college students looking for some extra money, newly laid off employees are looking for income to tide them over until new jobs are found. Stay at home moms, who realize one income may not provide enough of a financial safety net, and retirees, who discover their investments are no longer as valuable, are also looking to augment income. On top of that, with a flagging economy, shoppers are holding tight to their wallets, which means fewer employees will be needed to handle them.
Make a Good Impression for a Seasonal Job
Because of this increased competition, it’s even more vital to make a best first impression. Even if you’re just walking to fill out an application, be sure to dress, behave and speak professionally. Ideally, have an updated resume to drop off as well. Get the name of the manager, and call back later to make sure the application got to the right person.
Be Flexible to Meet Employers' Needs
Although an applicant may prefer to work traditional hours, the hiring location may need weekend and night work. It’s important to be as flexible as possible. Employers want to hire people who are reliable, skilled and easy to work with. By demonstrating an ability to go with the flow, an applicant increases her chances of being hired.
Know Where to Look For Seasonal Jobs
The retail industry has traditionally been one of the largest sources of holiday hiring, however this year, the chances of getting hired by a retail store have dwindled. A recent article in MSNBC.com reported that since January, 297,000 regular retail positions have been cut, and seasonal positions are receiving the same treatment. Packing and shipping organizations, such as UPS, are also predicted to have fewer job openings.
So while some traditional positions may still be available, consider some other additional options.
Temp Agencies
Companies sometimes hire temporary personnel to fill in to cover employee vacations or if the industry is extremely busy. Kelly Services, for example, currently has 1000 seasonal jobs listed in the U.S.
Online Resources
A number of websites connect people with businesses or employers looking for short-term projects or hourly work. Sites such as Guru.com, Monster.com and Elance.com list a variety of projects in areas such as administrative, marketing, writing, web design, law and finance. People bid on the projects they are interested in and the business selects a provider. Some sites may require a membership fee to have access to the jobs. Snagajob is another option. It is a website for hourly workers, with a variety of positions from cashiers to teachers.
Start A Business
With more time than money, a short-term business that is tailored toward the holidays can bring in income. A delivery business may be a savings to a local pharmacy or grocery store. A meal preparation service, personal shopper, gift-wrapping or cookie making service may be successful in a local area. Likewise, a babysitting or house cleaning business can be a very welcomed service during the holidays.
For local services such as these, it’s best to advertise inexpensively and locally. Flyers on mailboxes, notices on the local craigslist.org website and word of mouth ads through neighborhood associations, neighbors and friends are effective.
Even though finding jobs can be challenging, the job seeker with persistence, hard work and creativity can gain the competitive edge.
Pamela DeLoatch - Four kids, three schools, a bazillion sports, a growing writing career, a messy house and 90,000 miles on my four-year-old van. Need I say ...
