The holidays are right around the corner, and in addition to cheer and merriment the season also brings with it extra expenses. In fact, the average person spent over $800 on gifts last year, according to National Retail Federation estimates. In addition to gifts, many people are planning for winter vacations or spring home improvements — both costly undertakings. The bottom line is that everyone can use a little extra money this time of year.
Fortunately, it’s prime time for part-time seasonal work. Yes, as the leaves are changing across much of the country, retailers and businesses are ramping up for the end-of-the-year push and hiring in full force. Amazon alone plans to hire 100,000 people for the holidays, which is a 25 percent jump from last year’s seasonal hires.
If you’d like a seasonal retail position, opportunities are plentiful. Visit your favorite stores’ websites and look in the careers/jobs section. You can also call or simply ask the next time you visit. Most stores are openly advertising temporary jobs during the holidays, and some retailers may even interview you on the spot.
While most people assume part-time seasonal work means cashier, customer service, and stocking positions, there are far more opportunities to explore. You may be surprised to learn that many seasonal hires are actually really good-paying professional gigs. Companies often hire contractors to fill the expanded needs of a busy Q4, and that could mean extra cash in your pocket.
For example, marketing professionals are in high demand among businesses that want to strategize, advertise, and manage increased year-end sales. Marketing coordinators are needed to run seasonal campaigns and special holiday events. Social media experts, too, are hired to manage the influx of online chatter across social media platforms during prime shopping season.
In addition to marketing and advertising experts, creative types can find a lot of open positions during the holiday season. Decorators, photographers, graphic designers, and actors can often find part-time work for a decent wage.
If you’re looking for professional part-time seasonal work, you’ll need to expand your search beyond the storefront. Job search engines are a good start if you use advanced search features to narrow options to part-time, temporary, and/or contract work. Placement agencies that specialize in creative talent can be helpful, too. Finally, using your professional network to discover temp jobs is highly effective, so reach out to past colleagues and other professionals to help spread the word if you’re open to additional work this holiday season.
