Many job hunters will get an early present this year because retailers are increasing the number of hires for the holiday season. Competition for these jobs will likely be fierce, and the Better Business Bureau recommends applying early and taking steps to put your best foot forward.
According to the Los Angeles Times, retailers are looking for more seasonal employees this year than in previous years. Toys R Us alone is hiring 45,000 holiday employees and other retail giants are hiring 20 or even 30 percent more seasonal staff than last year. As many as 600,000 people are expected to get holiday jobs this year, according to the outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.
The BBB offers the following advice for holiday job hunters:
Start the job search earlier rather than later.
Retail, shipping, restaurants and catering companies are common sources of seasonal employment and now is the time to determine which job suits you best, identify companies you’d like to work for and begin submitting applications and resumes.
Work where you shop.
Identify seasonal employment with businesses where you actually shop or frequent. You’ll already be familiar with the company and its products and employee discounts mean significant savings when shopping for Christmas gifts. Discounts can range from 20-40 percent for seasonal employees.
Put your best foot forward.
Even if you are just picking up applications, dress your best and be prepared for an interview. This includes being familiar with the company’s brand and its products. Retail job hunters in particular need to focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skills — a must when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.
Be flexible.
Full-time employees usually have first dibs on preferred hours and shifts. Seasonal employees should expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours including Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. If this is a second job in addition to your day job, be upfront and clear with your new employer about your available hours.
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About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 123 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 4 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A+ to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
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Luanne Kadlub, BBB media relations manager, 970-488-2044 lkadlub@wynco.bbb.org