Getting your player ready...
The following are sound practices for job seekers this holiday.
Best sectors for
holiday hiring
Retail. Only a portion of the retail jobs available are at the cash register or on the sales floor. There are a wide array of opportunities in back-office positions, including shipping, receiving, warehousing, accounting, information technology and security. Shipping. As consumers boost spending, major shippers such as UPS and FedEx bulk up their processing and delivery staff, but job seekers can also look to shipping offices. Catering. The holiday season is a heavy period for corporate and private events, even in a down economy, and caterers will need to increase serving and food prepping staff. Restaurants. As consumers hit the streets for holiday shopping or families plan pre-holiday get-togethers, restaurants will need attendants, cooks, bartenders and serving staff. Entertainment venues. Movie theaters will see heavier traffic among young people on winter break, but job seekers can also look for positions at performing arts theaters, as well. Advice for holiday job seekers Start now. It is not too early to secure a position for the holidays. Begin by determining what types of retailers are suited to your experience and skills. If you are an avid golfer, that could be of help in securing a job in a sporting goods store or with a golf merchandiser.
Become a fill-in. Some retailers put many of their full-time back-office people on the sales floor during the holiday season. That means temporary help will be needed to ensure that back-office work continues.
Offer to be a floater. Chain stores with several locations in your area may be interested in using you as a substitute for employees who call in sick or are on vacation. Let the hiring manager know you are willing to be wherever the store needs you on any given day.
Promote computer skills. More and more stores are changing from traditional cash registers to computer-based systems, so being skilled in computer use should be a major selling point when applying for a position.
Dress for success. Even if employees may not dress up for their jobs, it is always a good idea to wear your nicest clothes to interviews.
Be available to work after the holidays. While stores need extra help during busy seasons, many would still prefer to hire someone who plans to stay longer.
Biggest mistakes made by
holiday job seekers Not dressing appropriately. You do not have to wear a business suit. However, you do not want to show up in torn, baggy jeans and an oversized basketball jersey. If you are a retiree, make sure you wear updated styles. Arriving late to the interview. In a competitive market, late arrival immediately eliminates you from the interview process. Particularly in retail, where adhering to one’s scheduled hours is paramount, arriving late to an interview tells the employer that you will be unreliable. Demanding a certain schedule. Asking to work a certain set of hours during the interview is a big no-no. As a part-time seasonal worker, you will be the lowest person on the totem pole and have the least leverage when it comes to requesting a special schedule. Asking about money during interview. Let the employer bring up money. The only thing you should be focused on during the interview is providing information that proves you will be a good addition to the staff. Not mentioning relevant experience. As a teen, stay-at-home mother or a retired CPA, you may think that you do not have any experience worth mentioning in an interview. Chances are good that you do. Whether it was organizing a pep rally at school or running the church bake sale, you want to mention all experience that will tell the employer that you are capable, responsible and able to organize and prioritize.
holiday hiring
Retail. Only a portion of the retail jobs available are at the cash register or on the sales floor. There are a wide array of opportunities in back-office positions, including shipping, receiving, warehousing, accounting, information technology and security. Shipping. As consumers boost spending, major shippers such as UPS and FedEx bulk up their processing and delivery staff, but job seekers can also look to shipping offices. Catering. The holiday season is a heavy period for corporate and private events, even in a down economy, and caterers will need to increase serving and food prepping staff. Restaurants. As consumers hit the streets for holiday shopping or families plan pre-holiday get-togethers, restaurants will need attendants, cooks, bartenders and serving staff. Entertainment venues. Movie theaters will see heavier traffic among young people on winter break, but job seekers can also look for positions at performing arts theaters, as well. Advice for holiday job seekers Start now. It is not too early to secure a position for the holidays. Begin by determining what types of retailers are suited to your experience and skills. If you are an avid golfer, that could be of help in securing a job in a sporting goods store or with a golf merchandiser.
Be available to work after the holidays. While stores need extra help during busy seasons, many would still prefer to hire someone who plans to stay longer.
holiday job seekers Not dressing appropriately. You do not have to wear a business suit. However, you do not want to show up in torn, baggy jeans and an oversized basketball jersey. If you are a retiree, make sure you wear updated styles. Arriving late to the interview. In a competitive market, late arrival immediately eliminates you from the interview process. Particularly in retail, where adhering to one’s scheduled hours is paramount, arriving late to an interview tells the employer that you will be unreliable. Demanding a certain schedule. Asking to work a certain set of hours during the interview is a big no-no. As a part-time seasonal worker, you will be the lowest person on the totem pole and have the least leverage when it comes to requesting a special schedule. Asking about money during interview. Let the employer bring up money. The only thing you should be focused on during the interview is providing information that proves you will be a good addition to the staff. Not mentioning relevant experience. As a teen, stay-at-home mother or a retired CPA, you may think that you do not have any experience worth mentioning in an interview. Chances are good that you do. Whether it was organizing a pep rally at school or running the church bake sale, you want to mention all experience that will tell the employer that you are capable, responsible and able to organize and prioritize.
