Seasonal jobs may be the foot in the door job seekers are looking for in a competitive job market, according to a new survey from CareerBuilder. Two-in-five employers (40 percent) who are hiring seasonal workers in the fourth quarter this year said they will likely transition some into full-time, permanent employees, up from 31 percent in 2009. The top five areas employers are recruiting holiday help for include retail (33 percent), customer service (31 percent), administrative/clerical support (17 percent) shipping and delivery (12 percent) and hospitality (10 percent). The survey was conducted among more than 2,400 employers between August 17 and September 2, 2010.
Workers can also find opportunities in other store-related or office-related job openings. Employers reported they would also be hiring seasonal employees for inventory management, accounting/finance, non-retail sales, marketing, technology and public relations. Here are some tips to getting hired:
- Begin now! Seasonal hiring is already in full force. It’s usually over by the time the first snow flake hits the ground.
- Dress the part. Don’t plan on walking into the GAP to apply for a job wearing clothes with logos from other stores. Look like you belong and they may even put you to work that day!
- Treat the interview like any other interview. Be on time, be courteous and follow up with the hiring manager to express your enthusiasm for becoming part of the team.
- Be prepared to work the schedule you are given. Don’t apply for a seasonal job if you know you won’t be able to stay through the terms of the position.
Seasonal jobs are a great way to try out a position without a long-term commitment. What are you waiting for? As I stated earlier in this post, hiring is going on right now!
Roberta
Want to know what goes on inside the mind of a hiring manager? Check out Selecting for Success; The Complete Guide to Hiring Top Talent
