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Every year, an increase in holiday shopping requires retailers to add thousands of jobs. These gigs are a great way for job seekers to “test drive” a position or company (or both!). There’s also potential that a part-time job may lead to full-time employment, from sales associate jobs to social media managers. You just have to be ready and willing to treat it as a career opportunity from the start.
When you think of holiday shopping, “Black Friday” mayhem might be the first thing that comes to mind, but there’s plenty more that goes into planning the supersized shopping day.
According to Forbes:
“When it’s boom-time for retailers, it’s also crunch time for marketers, who organize seasonal advertising campaigns and brand-building events. One of the best-paying yuletide jobs is marketing coordinator.”
Now, more than ever, retailers are taking advantage of the free advertising social media presents. Companies need to hire people to manage their site traffic, creating an incredible opportunity for a full-time career.
That same Forbes article points out that:
“Companies also ramp up their efforts on social media during the holidays to advertise products and deals and monitor consumer feedback. A social media assistant… [helps] support the brand’s digital outreach. And with more people in stores, it’s also a good time to analyze consumer trends. A seasonal marketing research surveyor collects and evaluates consumer demographics and data.”
Whether you are applying for an additional sales associate at a retail store or a marketing coordinator position at headquarters, what happens after you get it? Treating the temporary position as an audition for full-time employment is a great place to start.
Wowing your co-workers and management in a part-time job can help you stand out—and when the time comes, give you an edge when the company is ready to fill full-time positions.
The People's Media Company advises:
“The first rule in becoming a permanent employee is to show up every day on time… Your punctuality and reliability will stand out… Secondly, be as flexible with your scheduling as your life permits. If you can cover shifts, or even trade, so that the company has adequate coverage on the sales floor, you are a big help. In retail, this kind of flexibility is appreciated, especially if the store has bad luck with attracting kids that pull no shows.”
A few other helpful hints for making the most out of your part-time gig:
- Show initiative – Start a something without having to be asked.
- Work well under pressure – Holidays are the perfect time to show them you can work on your toes.
- Contribute to a variety of tasks – Show interest in the company as a whole.
- Adjust your attitude – You might be assigned to some grunt work, but don’t let it affect you.
And finally,
- Make it known! – You can’t get what you don’t ask for.
Don’t postpone your job search just because the holidays are approaching. It’s prime time to get out there and get hired for seasonal work, which could lead to the full-time job you’ve been searching for. Check out Jobs2Careers gigs for part-time and temporary opportunities in your area.
