In the United States as well as other parts of the globe, the holiday season is upon us. There was a time when we would not see holiday displays and items in the store until just before Thanksgiving. This year, I actually saw a few the week before Halloween. Stores are even marketing pre-holiday sales.
If you are looking to earn extra income, this is a great time to look for part-time or temporary work.
With all the holiday shopping, many stores need to increase the number of employees they have. A solution is to hire temporary employees to address the short term, seasonal needs. Seasonal hires help to eliminate the overwhelm of increased sales and companies are able to maintain high levels of customer service. Many companies that may not have had a position available for you, may have one now.
Not only will employers need to hire more staff to keep up with the increased sales, they will be looking to fill vacancies while personnel takes off during this time. Taking on extra work during this time can eliminate debt, cover the expense of your holiday shopping or you can save money for a future goal.
When looking for seasonal holiday work, also consider online/virtual work. With the increase of shopping online and the popularity of Cyber Monday, there is a need for customer service and telephones sales representatives and more.
Many companies have already started interviewing potential employees but there are still many positions available. Major retail stores such as Target and Kohl’s are still hiring in some locations. You can also look on online platforms such as Monster.com and Indeed.com. An added benefit, many of the stores that are hiring offer employee discounts.
If you are going to submit an application in-person, here are a few things to consider:
1. Be ready. Take time to prepare as if you were going to a job interview. In many cases, they will ask to interview you right on the spot. Bring a pen with you to fill out the application. Have a copy of your resume ready to present along with a list of references just in case they ask for it. Be sure to bring your ID to be able to verify who you are and to prove citizenship if needed.
2. Dress appropriately. Know you are being observed. Managers and staff members are looking to see if you “fit” the company culture. How you dress is a vital part of that.
3. Be respectful. The person who you are turning the application into can provide feedback on your demeanor and attitude. If you are rude to them, they will relay that information. Smile, be polite and be most important, be professional.
4. Be open but know what you want. The position you want be no longer be available but they may offer you something similar. Try to be flexible with the hours you can work. Know what your limitations are when it comes to salary, location, and travel.
5. Don’t take it personally. Like with any job search, you are not guaranteed a position. Rejection comes along with the job search. You will not be a fit for every position or company you apply at. If you don’t get selected, don’t take it personally.
Taking on extra work during the holiday season can be a great source of extra income. If you have been unemployed and get selected, keep in mind temporary work can lead to full-time employment. Regardless, once on board give it your all, you never know what it will lead to.
If you are seeking temporary or part-time employment and would like assistance with your job search or preparing for your interview, send me an email at cowens@infinitycoaching.net. We can work together to find prepare and find a job that’s just right for you.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, personality assessments and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
