‘Tis The Season to be Seasonal: Cool Jobs For The Holidays

Yes it’s that time of year again. If you’re on the job hunt or looking for ways to make extra cash, seasonal and temporary opportunities are here. I will always have fond memories of working at one of the largest bookstore retailers during the hectic holiday season. One thing I learned was that stores are always looking for extra help this time of year. A few extra hands go a long way to manage the floor. And I certainly appreciated the employee discount I received when it came time to do my own Christmas shopping. Here’s a quick rundown on places that are hiring for seasonal positions and how to maximize your job search efforts.

Who’s Hiring? By far, restaurants and retail will be the busiest industries of all. The big box stores like Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us, will be bustling with shoppers looking for more bang for their buck. Apart from the cashiers and salespeople, their shipping facilities will also need extra workers to help keep items stocked. In that same vein, try UPS and Fedex for those opportunities.

What Kind of Jobs? Are you a pro with the SlapChop? How about the Baby Bullet? You could be perfect as an in-store demonstrator. Demo artists generate a buzz around the product they’re demoing and address any questions about it. If anything, customers are there for the free samples; creating that jolly holiday cheer is always a plus in keeping the atmosphere of the season alive in the store.

Speaking of holiday cheer, if you’re a bright and cheerful personality who loves children, you can also pose as Santa or even one of his elves. The local mall is a great place to find jobs as characters or entertainers.

Ever dream of carrying out your own brand of vigilante justice? My former co-worker who worked the coffee shop at the bookstore once caught a teen trying to stuff a box of Godiva chocolates down his pants. The only problem was he was standing by a shelf that had a gaping hole in it, putting his shoplifting in full view. Shoplifting is a major concern during peak holiday shopping hours. Those with security or policing experience with near perfect backgrounds would make the best candidates as loss prevention personnel. You’d be asked to keep a close watch on suspicious looking customers or monitor areas with the highest potential for theft. Get your running shoes ready because you may be expected to chase down these thieves.

Where. Apart from the usual job sites, we recommend trying these.

Toys R Us expects to 40,000 jobs through November:

Toys R Us

Sites specializing in finding jobs for hourly workers:

Snag a Job

Seasonal Jobs

Seasonal jobs doesn’t just mean retail, check out these cool outdoor jobs:

Back Door Jobs

Cool Works

Check out your state’s Fish and Game local site for opportunities like these:

California Fish and Game

When. It’s best to start now. Go on, we’ll wait here. In seriousness, even if the job is expected to start a month from now, it’s best to get a leg-up.

How. With high unemployment and fierce competition for jobs, you will definitely have to work harder to make yourself stand out. Stay positive and remember the biggest asset to securing a seasonal job is having a flexible schedule, which means nights and weekends. To better your chances, it’s best to apply to more than just one seasonal job. Even if the work takes place outdoors, always dress business casual. This is still a job you’re applying for.

Why. Seasonal jobs are a great way to make extra cash and score on a sweet employment discount. Because it’s seasonal, it will grant you the opportunity to pursue other interests in the off-season. If the work is something you enjoy, your track record as a seasonal employee will surely put your foot through the door should there be a permanent position in the future. Above all else it’s a new experience.

If you have any other suggestions to add to the list- let us know. We’d love to hear from you. Good luck and happy hunting!