Strategies for Finding Seasonal Employment this Holiday Season
An Article by TorontoJobs.ca

If you are looking for part-time/full-time/seasonal employment this holiday season you should start your search now.

According to Statistics Canada, “90 per cent of September’s new jobs – 97,000 – were part-time” and “over the first five months of 2008, retail sales were 5.8% higher than during the same period in 2007.”

With part-time jobs on the rise and retail sales soaring despite the turbulent economy it seems that retail is a key industry to take a look at when searching for employment over the next few months.

Before you start searching for seasonal jobs, it’s important to know where to search and what skills you might need to land the perfect position. We’ve got a few strategies on how to begin your seasonal job search.

Skills you Need to Succeed:

Availability: Hiring Managers will be drawn to candidates that have a flexible schedule and are loyal to the position. Hiring Managers don’t appreciate those personalities that arrive late, take extra long breaks and won’t cover shifts when extra staff is needed.

Customer Service Skills: Within all retail positions hiring managers will be looking for those candidates that understand the policy of “Customers Drive the Business”. They will be looking for applicants with excellent interpersonal skills and a customer pleasing personality.

Fast Learners: Since the position may be temporary, hiring managers are looking for candidates with a drive to learn the business and products quickly in order to recite the information to customers.

Top Reasons to Consider a Seasonal Job:

Developing References – Taking a temporary position is a great way to develop your reference portfolio.

Great Discounts – Many companies offer benefits and discounts for seasonal employees. Taking a seasonal position might be a great way to treat you as well as save some money when you purchase gifts for family and friends for the holidays.

Develop New Skills – If you are currently in a role where there is no interaction with clients/co-workers it might be a great idea to take a position on the side to develop your interpersonal skills for future employment opportunities.

Make Extra Money – Whether you already have a full-time job or are currently unemployed, taking on a seasonal job is a great way to earn extra cash to put towards Christmas gifts and other “needs” items.

Finding your Next Job - Even though your position may be part-time or seasonal, if you do well within the organization over the holidays it might lead to full-time employment.

Retail positions overall, even if they may only be seasonal, have many benefits including developing new skills and taking advantage of financial benefits for both the unemployed and those simply looking for extra money over the holiday season.

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