Now is the time to wrap up temporary seasonal retail employment.
According to the International Council of Shopping Centers in New York City and worldwide, sales at major chain stores (excluding Wal-Mart) are expected to rise 1.5 percent from November to January, with sales at a broader base of stores predicted to rise 1.6 percent. Compared with last year’s 5-percent decline, which was the first industry-wide holiday decline in 40 years, this is good news.
It’s still a guess how much consumers will spend for the holidays, and how many retail employees businesses will hire to help store customers. However, job-hunters who start looking now for holiday work will have the best chance to be hired by this season’s very selective employers.
“I’ve talked to many area retailers recently, and this is not going to be a robust hiring period,” said Nick LeMasters, general manager of Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.” But, keeping that in mind, retailers know there are many qualified applicants out there,” he said. “So, the hires will be based on more quality than quantity. The sooner people begin looking, the better off they’ll be.”
*What are some successful retail job-hunt strategies?*
• *Know your interests and expertise.* Do not fill out an application at every store. Choose the stores you want to work at first.
“If you love to cook, go to Williams-Sonoma and put on a toque; if you’re a techie, go to Apple,” said LeMasters. “Your expertise and passion in a particular field give you credibility with employers, and make you valuable to their clients and customer service needs.
• *Be prepared* to interview and discuss your qualifications when you enter stores that interest you.
“I always tell people to be ready when they ask to fill out an application, because they very well might be hired on the spot.,” Le Masters said. “You have to assume you might be interviewed right then and there. I advise people not to ask to fill out an application if they’re in their jeans and flip-flops,” he said. Also leave children and friends at home when shopping for a job.
While employers may be very selective this year and may not hire as many holiday employees as in the past, this is a big business season and good opportunity to sell yourself. Retailers net 25 to 50 percent of their annual sales during the holiday season. This is the best time to present yourself as an asset to the company, as employers are focusing on their top-producing employees and their top sales months.
Shopping center boutiques and department stores have hired as many as 2 million seasonal employees to work cash registers, stock shelves and maintain store security. Another 30 million Americans are expected to shop online, These businesses will employ call center representatives, shipping, postal and fulfillment workers as the holidays approach.
*Holiday hires often stay on*
If you’re hoping to convert a seasonal stint into a full-time hourly job, consider the following tips:
• *Be prepared* to provide an up-to-date employment history with references.
• *State what jobs, hours and days interest you.* If you want a full-time position, inquire about the opportunity for permanent employment. Ask how many seasonal employees eventually are offered year-round jobs.
• *Know that a seasonal job doesn’t turn into a full-time job overnight.* “. . . People who perform well in holiday jobs may be hired on as part-time permanent employees first,” LeMasters said. “You rarely see someone go directly from seasonal temporary work immediately to a full-time position.”
To do it, be willing to go the extra step. Demonstrate grace under pressure during the stressful holiday season. Work assigned hours and duties, and volunteer for a variety of tasks. If more hours or responsibilities are available, try to take them on. Also say you’re available to work special sales, inventory and other peak times year-round.
Here are more sources of seasonal retail-based jobs:
• *Temporary agencies often hire staff for their business clients.* Kelly Services, Snelling & Snelling and Manpower provide searchable databases of temporary positions.
Temping is among the fastest-growing employment sectors and the range of positions has increased significantly. One of the big pluses is working on your own schedule.
• *Hiring also heats up* with the IRS and state tax departments starting in early January. Search for federal, state and local governmental agencies at http://jobsearch.about.com/od/governmentjobs1/a/governmentjob1.htm.
• *Delivery jobs* for package, flower, food and other products and services, drivers, handlers, and others deliver holiday boxes and more. FedEx has a searchable database of jobs and online applications. DHL and UPS also have employment information online.
Sources — eHow.com and DoItYourself.com.
_Sam DeLeo is a writer in the Creative Services Department at the Denver Newspaper Agency._
