BBB of Metropolitan
New York says that some job hunters may get an early present this year as
retailers are increasing the number of hires for the holiday season.
Competition for these jobs will likely be fierce, and the Better Business
Bureau of Metropolitan New York recommends applying early to help land that
position.
According to the Los Angeles Times, many
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.
According to the outsourcing firm, Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, as many as
600,000 people are expected to get holiday jobs this year.
“It looks like the holiday season
will create a much welcome bump in the number of job openings, particularly in
the retail and restaurant industry,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO
of the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York. “While the jobs
are usually temporary, this is great news for struggling families and people
who have had problems finding work.”
BBB offers
the following advice for job hunters this holiday season:
Start
the job search earlier rather than later.
The key to landing a seasonal job is to start searching early. Retail,
shipping, restaurants and catering companies are common sources of seasonal
employment and now is the time for job hunters to determine which job suits
them best, identify companies they’d like to work for and then begin submitting
applications and resumes.
Work
where you shop.
Try to identify seasonal employment with businesses you actually shop at or
frequent. You will already be familiar with the company and its products and,
secondly, discounts available for employees 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 an application at stores in the mall, 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—which is 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 the preferred hours and shifts,
so, as a seasonal employee, expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours
including working on 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.
For advice on
making it through the holidays, visit us online at http://www.newyork.bbb.org/consumer-tips-holiday/.
