Holiday Employment: Tips and Tricks

Although the economy is still fragile and at a recovery stage, there are more seasonal jobs available in 2010 than the previous year. This is pretty encouraging for seasonal workers who are interested in landing a seasonal position in retail, bars and restaurants, package delivery companies or hotels and ski resorts.

Positive outlook for seasonal employment

In Florida, retailers are hiring 40% more seasonal workers this year. Several retailers nationwide have announced the hiring of seasonal employees. In particular Toys R Us is expected to hire 45,000 seasonal workers as a result of expanding its stores and adding 600 smaller stores in malls and shopping centers nationwide. Best Buy is expected to hire 29,000 seasonal workers to anticipate the increased sales volume in smartphones, touch-screen tablet PCs, e-readers and 3-D video-game devices. Amazon is expected to hire 15,000 seasonal workers during the holiday season. Other retailers that have announced the hiring of seasonal employees are Kohl's, Macy's, Target, and Wal-Mart. In addition, United Parcel Service (UPS) will hire 50,000 seasonal workers who are expected to help in sorting out the increasing number of packages as well as unloading and delivering them.

Factors that affect seasonal employment

All the above are undoubtedly good news. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the increasing number of seasonal workers who are expected to be hired in 2010 is between 500,000 and 600,000, increased by almost 20% from 2009. However, if you consider seasonal employment for 2010, there are some factors you need to take into account.

In particular:

a) Online sales increase during holiday season

According to ComScore Inc, U.S. online sales are expected to increase by 11% to $32.4 billion during November and December 2010, exceeding the levels of 2007. The recovery signs of the U.S. economy are mostly evident in the U.S. GDP that rose at an annual rate of 2.5% from July to September due to consumption growth. Consumers began to spend moderately and during Thanksgiving they spent on average $365.34, increased by 6.4% from 2009 according to National Retail Federation. The analysts of Goldman Sachs Group expect that the U.S. economy will grow by 2.7% in 2011, higher than 2% that was originally estimated, and this is a factor that will definitely boost online sales. As consumers become increasingly comfortable with online sales and they can find almost any product they are looking for, the less need for seasonal employees will be. Forrester Research Inc estimates that online sales during holiday season will account for 7% of total retail sales in 2010, increased by 6% from 2009.

b) Seasonal employment does not lead to full-time position

Seasonal employment is only temporary and it typically ends after January 1^st. If you are really determined to turn your seasonal job into a career, you have to express to your managers your interest in working to the company as a full-time employee after the holiday season is over. Moreover, you have to demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm and reliability as a seasonal worker so that you employers see your strengths and weaknesses and realize the value you can add to the company as a permanent employee. Finally, you have to see your seasonal position as a challenge and acquire as much knowledge and working experience as possible in order to be ready to make the transition from seasonal employment to permanent employment when the time is appropriate.

How to make the most of seasonal employment

To make the most of seasonal employment you have to demonstrate primarily flexibility and professionalism. Moreover, you have to market yourself with an outstanding resume that can beat the odds of seasonal employment and can make you stand out of competition.

In particular:

a) Flexibility is highly appreciated

Employers are looking for seasonal workers who can demonstrate flexibility and make the most out of limited time. If you can demonstrate flexibility in working schedules and be available on evenings and weekends you are very likely not only to land a seasonal job, but also to be considered for full-time employment after the holiday season. Employers emphasize greatly the importance of seasonal employees' flexibility and appreciate those workers who demonstrate willingness to work evening and weekend shifts. Besides, being able to absorb a great deal of seasonal training in such a short time is critical to the evaluation you will receive after the seasonal job ends.

b) Professionalism is highly sought after

Professionalism is mostly related to the set of skills that make you act in a responsible way at work. Being responsible includes, but is not limited to, being dressed appropriately; being punctual, treating everybody with respect; being self-confident; demonstrating high work ethics; striving for excellence, being proactive and showing initiative. By demonstrating this set of skills, you show to your employers that you are a self-motivated, highly driven individual with a willingness to learn and an ability to work with little or no supervision. This professional behavior can offer you a seasonal position, and why not, a permanent position, in the long run.

c) Know how to market yourself

As the job marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, crafting a strong resume is extremely important. You have to possess all the required qualifications, but mostly you have to incorporate all your skills and competencies in your resume in the most effective way. Besides highlighting any working experience you may possess in relevant seasonal positions, you need to make sure you use clear language and include the most important aspects of your job description in the first sentences of each job description. What really matters is using your resume to obtain an interview. Therefore, make sure you are clear and concise about your skills and competencies as to create enough interest in your resume and make employers contact you for an interview. Then, during the interview you can provide a more detailed explanation of your achievements to land a job offer.

In conclusion, considering the current unemployment rate (9.3%) finding a holiday job may be your open door to get some valuable training and set the basis for permanent employment in the near future after the holiday season is over. Even if you don't get a full-time position in the job you are really interested in, still you may find great job opportunities in other department or divisions of the company. Holidays jobs are not always about gift wrapping or package delivery. They may represent a viable full-time employment in the field of your interest.

Sources:

http://www.americasnewsonline.com/holiday-employment-tips-tricks-facts-and-numbers-you-need-to-know-911/

http://thejobspot.ryerson.ca/2010/10/tips-and-tricks-when-searching-for-a-holiday-job-part-deux/