How to Make the Most of a Seasonal Job
It feels unnatural to see Halloween candy advertised in August and Christmas decorations for sale in September. But holiday creep makes perfect sense in the retail, hospitality and logistics industries, which need to prepare in advance to conduct big business in the fourth quarter of the year. By the onset of autumn, companies in these fields have already started hiring extra employees to work in November, December and January.
While anyone can take advantage of seasonal part-time jobs, a few types of people in particular stand to benefit especially from them. Students on winter break who need extra cash or want to gain some work experience are prime contenders for these positions. Gig workers who take temporary roles all year long may find abundant opportunities for boosting their incomes during the holidays.
Perhaps most importantly, high demand for seasonal workers shifts odds in favor of "the unemployed person that's had a hard time getting a job," says Carisa Miklusak, CEO of Tilr, a platform that connects workers with gig jobs. "Companies need a lot of people and they don't have time to be so specific" with their hiring criteria.
More than just money, seasonal jobs offer students and unemployed people valuable work experience that helps them land full-time positions in the future.
"It's very often an entry point for a permanent position," says Dan McMackin, public relations manager for UPS.
Here's how to find and make the most of holiday job openings.
[See: 6 Side Jobs to Make Extra Money.]
Finding Seasonal Jobs
To handle the year-end crush of customers, the retail industry has traditionally relied on seasonal workers to swell the ranks of salespeople and customer service representatives. This remains the case, but increased e-commerce has also created seasonal employment needs in warehouses and fulfillment centers that process customer's orders, says Evan Armstrong, vice president of government affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association.
The rise in online shopping has also increased demand for labor at logistics and shipping companies that deliver all those packages to customers – and return unwanted merchandise after the holidays. For example, in 2018, UPS plans to hire 100,000 additional workers for the winter holiday season, McMackin says. They'll mainly fill three roles: package handler, driver and driver helper.
Many families celebrate the winter holidays by eating in restaurants, staying in hotels and traveling to vacation destinations like ski resorts. That means hospitality companies require more hands on deck to serve clients.
Many companies outside of these sectors also hire extra help in the last few months of the year. Some need additional workers to meet deadlines to launch new products or campaigns in the new year, while others are short-staffed because permanent employees are using up their annual vacation days, Miklusak says.
Companies hire for seasonal jobs from mid-summer to mid-fall using a variety of methods. Some send recruiters to job fairs, others host mass-hiring days at store locations and still others accept applications on their websites.
[See: 16 Low-Stress Jobs.]
Taking Advantage of Benefits
In a strong economy, companies are willing to invest in employment, even boosting benefits for temporary seasonal workers.
"They're offering higher wages, 401(k)s and paid time off to get these folks into the door," says Ana Serafin Smith, senior director of media relations at National Retail Federation.
Employee discounts are one benefit of holiday jobs, but more substantial advantages come in the form of training opportunities. Companies may teach seasonal workers new skills such as customer service, merchandise management, inventory analysis, running a cash register, loss and theft prevention and managing other employees.
Workers may even earn certificates through their training programs.
"If your time ends as a seasonal employee at that retailer, you may be able to use that certification for any other retailer or even in another sector to find that next job," Smith says.
[See: Best Business Jobs.]
Getting Hired Full Time
People who discover an affinity for their holiday jobs can convert those temporary positions into entry-level roles and, eventually, entire careers.
"Very often there's a percentage of seasonal workers that fall in love with the job, the employer falls in love with them and they're offered a full-time job," Miklusak says.
That's true at UPS, where about 35 percent of seasonal hires come back after the season, McMackin says. The company's CEO and other members of its senior executive team started out as part-time workers.
"It is definitely a foot in the door, a stepping stone for a career," he explains.
To turn a holiday job into a full-time role, make a good impression and excel at your responsibilities. At UPS, that means being unfailingly punctual and showing a desire to serve others.
"You have to have a discernible work ethic," McMackin says.
Then, before a seasonal job ends, tell the supervisor you'd like to come back as an employee in the future and submit your resume for open jobs that match your skills.
"There's always a list developed in each work area of people who shine," McMackin says. "We will definitely reach out to them."
The Most Important Allies to Make at Work
Recruit co-workers to your team.
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Making friends in your office, while personally enjoyable, is optional. But to get ahead in your career, making allies at work is essential.
That doesn’t just mean getting on your boss’s good side. In fact, some of the most important people to recruit to your “team” are colleagues lower in the organizational hierarchy who nevertheless have important information about or wield influence within the company.
In the modern multigenerational office, it may take time and practice to learn how to work well with colleagues of all ages and all levels of responsibility. Read on to find out how to build strong alliances in the office.
How to be an ally in the office
How to be an ally in the office
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Remember, nobody likes a suck up. Building alliances requires genuine interest in your co-workers’ responsibilities and challenges.
“When you become helpful and useful and valuable to people, that’s when you start forming those relationships,” says Bianca Jackson, a career branding consultant.
If you notice someone struggling with a work problem, ask if they’d be interested in your assistance and then do what you can to help them accomplish their goals. That will distinguish you as a “problem-solver” who others will come to rely on, Jackson says.
These are the six allies to make in your office:
IT expert
IT expert
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They fix our computers, recover our passwords and keep our Wi-Fi running. That makes information technology professionals the “unsung heroes” of modern offices, says Amy Kardel, chair of the board of directors of the Computing Technology Industry Association.
Allying with IT experts is important because “we’re all being asked to do things better and faster, and IT is a lever to do that,” Kardel says. “Having the best tools and proactive ideas from your IT team can help you be a better worker.”
To be an ally to your colleagues in the IT department, remember that they are trying to enable you to meet your work goals. Share as much information as you can to help them troubleshoot technology problems, Kardel says.
And remember to thank them for their assistance, she suggests, because “your comments can be a valuable reminder that they’re making a difference.”
The receptionist
The receptionist
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It’s easy to overlook the office receptionist as someone who simply orders food and schedules meetings. But “this is the person who interacts most with the higher-ups in the department,” Jackson says.
That gives administrative assistants access to important information. It also positions them to potentially influence powerful managers and executives.
For example, when Jackson was first interning for a company, she exchanged friendly greetings with the administrative assistant each day. That person endorsed Jackson when the vice president mentioned wanting to lay off the interns, and as a result, the company kept Jackson on staff.
Your boss
Your boss
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It should come as no surprise that, “if you can, you want to make sure your boss likes you,” Jackson says. This person has a lot of power over whether you get a promotion or a raise and how pleasant your daily office environment is.
To please this potential ally, anticipate your boss’s needs rather than waiting for instructions, don’t raise complaints without offering solutions and pay attention to subtle communication clues she offers about what she wants, like coming by your desk to talk and using signal phrases such as “should” and “stretch opportunity.”
If you’ve failed to meet expectations, regain your boss’s trust by explaining how you’re going to improve in the future and then following through on your promises.
The influencer
The influencer
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Sometimes your boss doesn’t have the power to help you advance in your company. In that case, Jackson says, “it’s good to get friendly with the people who know the most information and have the most influence.”
An influencer could be a vice president, senior manager or seasoned employee.
“It’s someone everyone respects, and as soon as they start talking, everyone is quiet,” Jackson says.
These co-workers often have high levels of responsibility and face a lot of pressure. Win them over by helping them succeed. Offer to pitch in on their projects and then exceed their expectations.
The intern
The intern
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It may not seem worth your effort to get on good terms with the office intern. After all, she will only be around temporarily.
But that makes her a great person to add to your network. If you make her an ally, she’ll take her good impression of you to her next company, which could lead to future employment opportunities for you there.
Consider acting as a mentor to office interns. Talk with them about their goals, invite them to shadow you as you do your work and encourage them to ask you questions when they need help.
Your mentor
Your mentor
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It’s important to find your own mentor at work, too. This person will hopefully act as a confidant and guide as you navigate office politics and make career decisions.
To identify potential mentors, look for colleagues who have skills and responsibilities you want to acquire and whose job trajectories you admire. It’s important to pick someone trustworthy whose temperament is compatible with yours.
Be straightforward when you ask for their mentorship. If you’re nervous to make the request, remember that many people are flattered to be asked for their advice.
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