The festive period brings not only the promise of gifts, good food, and decorations aplenty, but also a quantity of temporary job opportunities. Whether you’re looking to earn extra cash or gain new experience, the Christmas period is a great opportunity to take on short-term roles.
Why So Many Temporary Jobs Become Available
Shopping season: Shops often need additional staff to manage the Christmas shopping rush, making it easier to find a job than at quieter times of the year.
Festive Events: With Christmas parties, seasonal events, markets, and festivals, there’s increased demand for event staff across roles, from coordinators to caterers.
Holiday Replacements: Many staff will take annual leave during the Christmas period, creating a need for temporary staff to cover.
How To Find Temporary Work Over The Festive Period
1) Start Early
If you’re looking for Christmas work, you need to start looking in late October or early November. Companies will know their holiday staffing needs by then and start to put out the call.
Having a temporary job on your CV demonstrates practical experience, which is now more appealing to employers than any other qualification.
2) Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter
Chances are, many people are applying for these temporary jobs to earn a bit of extra cash. Make your CV stand out by tailoring it to the jobs you’re applying for and emphasising transferable skills from previous roles or life moments. Prioritise skills and experiences that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
3) Network
Let the people around you know you’re looking for work. If someone you know can personally recommend you for a job, it can be especially helpful, as employers are more likely to hire someone they already know than a stranger they have only spoken to during job interviews.
4) Accept The Need To Be Flexible
A drawback of temporary work is the possibility of unconventional hours; however, being open to and willing to work these hours can lead to more job opportunities.
5) Do Your Research
Research businesses that typically hire seasonal workers, such as retail stores, event companies, and hospitality businesses. You can also look up local businesses on LinkedIn to find places that need workers close to home.
6) Consider Roles Beyond Retail
Retail is likely the main sector hiring at Christmastime, but there are plenty of other temporary jobs available beyond retail. Consider working for an event staffing company, a delivery service, or customer support.
7) Prepare For The Following Year
If you find a one-year temporary role you love, try to build relationships there and perform well. This could then lead to a recurring seasonal position or even a permanent job offer.
8) Apply For Multiple Jobs
The job market is incredibly competitive, so your best bet is to get your CV to as many employers as possible.
Overall, when it comes to finding temporary seasonal work, there are many ways in which you can help yourself and improve your odds of finding work. The best course of action, as with most things, is to start early. Consider the skills and experience you already have and apply them to your job hunt. Be flexible and persistent. Make yourself available to employers and explain how you can benefit them.
