How to Get a Temporary Retail Position in a Recession Holiday Season

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, seasonal employment in retailing sector increased by 30 percent from 2008 adding 47,800 seasonal workers in October, 318,900 in November and 134,700 in December. For 2010, another 500,000 to 600,000 seasonal employees are expected to be hired during the holiday season, showing an increase of almost 20 percent (if 600,000 people are employed), but still being down from pre-recession levels.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago global outplacement company, explains that the expected seasonal employment for 2010 portrays the trend of economy that is still fragile and at a recovery stage. Retailers are careful about adding new seasonal staff because consumer spending remains low. With almost 15 million Americans being unemployed, with foreclosures on their properties or having defaulted on their debt the seasonal jobs outlook appears conservative.

Based on above data, in 2010, a larger number of candidates will compete for a relatively smaller number of seasonal positions. To get a competitive edge over fellow retail job seekers and get a seasonal job during recession you have to demonstrate creativity, determination and enthusiasm alongside your skills and expertise. Moreover, you have to follow certain steps.

In particular:

* Find out who is hiring during holiday season

Customer service retailers, delivery package companies and gift wrapping firms are on the hiring swing during holiday season. However, any retailer needs extra help during holiday season as, in spite of low consumer spending, consumers will spend, even moderately, and those who will not spend will need customer service and information on certain products.

United Parcel Service (UPS) is expected to hire 50,000 seasonal workers through the end of December 2010. The pay per hour would be between $8 and $20. Seasonal positions include mostly driver helpers who are expected to help in unloading and delivering the increasing number of packages during holiday season.

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 as the company's executives anticipate an increased sales traffic in smartphones, touch-screen tablet PCs, e-readers and 3-D video-game devices.

Other retailers that have announced the hiring of seasonal workers during the holiday season are Kohl's, Macy's and Target, while Wal-Mart will also add seasonal employees to its workforce for the holidays.

* Apply early for a seasonal position

Retailers hire for seasonal positions in October and November. This means that you have to start your job search in summer and apply really early for positions in retail sector during holiday season. You may contact recruiters to help you determine which jobs suit you best and identify retailers you would like to work for. In any case, you should keep in mind that, retailers, as any other employer have to check a pile of resumes right before the holiday season begins to fill in their open positions. So, the earliest you apply for a seasonal position the better chances you stand to be interviewed and land a job.

* Apply for evening and night shifts

Another useful strategy that may help you in landing a seasonal job during recession is applying for evening and night shifts. Usually, people dislike working late hours or overnight so these positions are not so popular in job applications. However, by applying specifically for these positions you demonstrate a real interest in working, and an enthusiasm for work that won't pass unnoticed form your future employers. Even if you apply just for getting some extra holiday cash, you may set the grounds for turning your seasonal job into a career.

* Be ready for the interview

Any employer wants to see your experience and how it relates to the job position you are applying for. Especially if you are a seasonal worker applying for a retail job, you have to prove your skills and expertise in customer management and sales. You have to be ready to work hard, focus on customer satisfaction and meet customer demand during holiday season when customer demand typically increases and customer requirements become more demanding. If you possess relevant experience, make sure to mention it on your resume and emphasize those skills. Don't forget that especially during recessionary times landing an interview is even more difficult than when the economy is stable and uprising. So, make sure to emphasize your competitive advantage that can bring you closer to an interview and to landing a seasonal job. T

Most seasonal workers who follow these steps not only land a seasonal job, but manage to turn their seasonal position into full-time employment. The secret is to treat the seasonal position as a challenge and prove to yourself and to your employers that you are really interested in the job. By showing enthusiasm and eagerness to learn as much as possible, you are very likely not only to get the seasonal position during recession holiday season, but also to get a more permanent position.

Sources:

http://www.allbusiness.com/labor-employment/human-resources-personnel-management/15271899-1.html

http://poststar.com/business/local/article_b9df9124-ef4e-11df-b876-001cc4c03286.html