Despite the downturn in the labor market, demand for seasonal workers is increasing as the holidays approach, according to a recent report from career platform Monster.
Starting in October, companies will begin to “step up” hiring for seasonal jobs to free up time to train new employees, Monster Career expert Vicki Salemi said.
Around the same time, many workers start thinking about “how to make more money while on vacation,” she says.
The number of job seekers searching for seasonal jobs on Monster tripled from September to October this year, and doubled again from October to November, Salemi said.
Salemi said seasonal retail employment typically spikes in the months leading up to Christmas due to increased shopping and e-commerce activity.
And while holiday hiring in the retail industry is expected to slow this year, many companies are hiring seasonal workers for sales positions, distribution and transportation roles such as delivery drivers, warehouse workers and material handlers.
Still, “it’s important for workers to think outside the box” when looking for seasonal jobs, Salemi said.
While being a tax accountant may not be the first job that comes to mind during the holiday season, “tax season is fast approaching, so there’s a strong demand for tax preparers right now,” she says.
Similarly, beauty consultants are not a “holiday-specific” role, but Salemi says many people seek professional help to help them look their best at festive parties and end-of-year events.
These are the top 10 seasonal jobs currently hiring, based on Monster’s analysis of thousands of posts posted on the platform in November.
1. Delivery driver
2. Warehouse worker
3. Beauty consultant
4. Customer Service Representative
5. Material handler
6. Tax accountant
7. Technical experts
8. Retail Sales Specialist
9. Salesperson
10. Photographer
If you’re looking to land a seasonal role this year, it’s not too late to start looking.
Before applying, Salemi advises job seekers to rewrite their resumes to match the job description.
“Look at the job and compare it to your resume and ask yourself where there is overlap,” she says.
She also advises employees to know their schedules before applying for seasonal jobs.
“You need to set realistic working hours to avoid burnout,” Salemi says.
For people looking to move into a different career or industry, seasonal work is “a great way to step into a new long-term, full-time job,” she says.
If that’s your goal, Salemi says it’s important to make a strong impression while working as a seasonal worker. Above all, companies want to hire “positive, enthusiastic” employees with “incredible work ethics,” she says.
Seasonal jobs also provide an opportunity to network and make “valuable connections” within the company, Salemi said. “Ask people in other departments, ‘Can I take you out to lunch or coffee?’ They really want to know about your marketing department,” she says.
Her seasonal gigs may be over, but “that doesn’t mean the end of my relationship with the people I work with,” she says.
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