Guest Post by Patrick Young
Do you need some extra dough to buy gifts this holiday season? Or, are you looking for a temporary job in hopes that it will turn into something more permanent? Whatever your reason, the holidays are ripe with opportunities for job searchers. Companies in retail, tourism, delivery, and many other industries ramp up their hiring during this time of year. If you’re looking for a seasonal job, we have some tips on finding and landing the right one for you.
Look at Your Options
The first step of your job search is to research what positions in what industries are offered; sites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and US Jobs are good places to start. If you already know what you want to do, you can narrow your results and save some time. For example, if you want a retail job during the holidays, you can filter your search to bring up only retail jobs in your area. Or, you could go the traditional route and visit your local malls and stores to inquire about open positions; plus, networking in person can open a lot of doors. If you have no idea what you want to do, good job-search sites make it easy to get all the information you need, as they typically provide a job summary, skills required, and other relevant aspects to that particular position.
Consider E-Commerce
If you don’t want to work for a company during the holidays, you can give e-commerce a shot. E-commerce is a growing industry, and the holidays are the perfect time to begin since there are more buyers than at any other time of year. If you’re crafty or like to move items around, take a look at Etsy and eBay. Another option is to create a Shopify store, which is a dropshipping business that allows entrepreneurs to sell products without having to carry any inventory. You can even use free tools like a banner or logo design generator to create graphics that will make your e-commerce shop look professional and help it to stand out.
If you dive into a work from home gig like ecommerce, optimize your space to keep stress levels down. Do some decluttering, add some houseplants, and make the most of sunlight since it’s a natural way to help you stay focused and productive. Opening the blinds is easy enough, although if you don’t have the time or energy to clean your windows, you can have your windows professionally cleaned to maximize the amount of sunlight that enters your home. For a reputable service, just search for a residential window cleaning company through a site like Angi. By making your home workspace as comfortable as possible, you’ll be more successful in your new endeavor.
Start Now
No matter what type of seasonal job you’re interested in, it’s important to start your job search and submit applications early. Most companies fill all their seasonal positions before the busy holiday season begins. It’s most efficient to figure out what employers are offering seasonal positions and apply to those first. If you have experience with seasonal employment, contact the employers you have worked for in the past. In many cases, applicants who have worked with the company before have a better chance of landing the job.
Highlight the Right Qualities
Companies look for specific skills for the holiday season. Since it’s a temporary position, most employers want to hire someone who learns quickly, has a positive attitude, works hard, and remains calm and productive under pressure. Also, you should make yourself available for the entire holiday season to work whatever schedule the company needs you to. All of these qualities should be present in your application.
Prepare for Your Interview
So you’ve applied and have been approached for an interview — that’s great! However, you haven’t landed that job until you convince the employer that you’re the right person for the position. In many cases, employers are filling so many positions that they hold each interview to 10 or 15 minutes. It’s very important to communicate your qualifications and interest in the company thoroughly and concisely in a short amount of time. So, prepare by researching the company, drawing up possible questions, and practicing your responses.
There are now more seasonal jobs available than ever before. Research online to see all your options or visit local stores in person. If you want to work from home, try your hand at e-commerce. Since most holiday positions tend to fill quickly, start the search and application process early. Finally, be sure to present the desired skills and qualifications on your application, and prepare for a fast, effective interview.
Patrick Young is an educator and activist. He believes people with disabilities must live within a unique set of circumstances–the outside world often either underestimates them or ignores their needs altogether. He created Able USA to offer helpful resources to people with disabilities and to provide advice on navigating various aspects of life as a person with disabilities.