The Best Time to Start Looking For a Seasonal Job

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Working a holiday job is a great way to earn extra cash or get your foot in the door for a permanent job. And with the economy steadily improving this year, there are high hopes for a profitable season. But why are we talking about holiday jobs now, when many of us are still in our summer clothes? Because if you wait too much longer to start your holiday job search, you might be too late. By September, many businesses have already figured out their staffing needs for the holidays. According to the job search engine, Snagajob, 94% of seasonal jobs will be filled by the end of November, so it pays to start looking early. The best way to pinpoint opportunities is by thinking about the kinds of businesses that are busy during the holiday season. The most obvious answer is retailers – lots of gifts to buy, stockings to stuff, food to prepare, holiday dresses to wear. From grocery to clothing to electronics – just about every retail store will see an uptick in business during the holidays. But if you dig a little deeper, you might come up with other less obvious sources of holiday jobs. For instance, with online retailers taking a significant chunk of the holiday business, they will needs lots of seasonal employees to fill customer service positions, warehouse and shipping jobs, and even marketing and advertising jobs. Keep in mind that most seasonal jobs don’t pay very much, although the range can vary depending on your expertise. Just remember that even if it’s “only a holiday job,” that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously or feel as if you’re entitled to better. The seasonal job market is competitive and businesses are still looking for employees who are enthusiastic and eager to work. This is especially true for delivery companies such as UPS and FedEx where punctuality and reliability are everything. Another trait that companies are looking for in seasonal employees is flexibility. Holiday hours can be long and unpredictable and employers are looking for staffers who are willing to work odd hours such as early morning, late night or sometimes spur of the moment. Play your cards right, and the company may consider hiring you for a permanent position after the holidays. If you’re unsure where to begin your search, start by checking the web sites of discount and big box retailers like Best Buy ; big department stores such as Sears and Bay; or online retailers like Amazon. You could also check with staffing companies who do a lot of seasonal hiring for big companies like Home depot and Wal-Mart