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IF you are after a job, then Christmas has come early.
Despite shop closures on the high street, 88 per cent of retailers plan to recruit extra staff for the festive season, new research revealed this week, and half are already hiring.
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About 250,000 temporary positions will be on offer, and not just in shops. Courier and delivery work, as well as roles in restaurants and customer service, are also up for grabs.
What is more, one in five festive temps are later taken on more permanently by their employers. Even if not, the work will boost your CV and give you useful new contacts and references.
This week, Sunemployment has more than 40,000 seasonal jobs listed, with tens of thousands more to follow next week.
One of the biggest employers is Royal Mail and this year it is taking on 20,000 helpers, including 13,000 sorters. Jobs are available across the country, with a range of hours and responsibilities.
Royal Mail operations chief Simon Barker says: “We want to deliver a warm glow at Christmas again this year, which is why we are looking for people to work over the winter period in our sorting centres.
“We are looking for around 20,000 hardworking and reliable individuals to help us ensure Christmas presents and cards reach more than 30 million addresses, six days a week.
“You will gain invaluable experience to put on your CV, a reference from us when you apply for other jobs, and earn some extra cash for yourself this Christmas.”
‘Working as a Christmas casual helped in landing a permanent role’
FRASER McNEILL retired from a senior logistics role aged just 55, but decided to apply for a Royal Mail Christmas casual job after missing work. He was later hired permanently and is now a sorting line manager.
Fraser, 60, from Nuneaton, Warks, said: “I would most definitely recommend the job to others. The Royal Mail are fair and consistent in the way they treat people from all walks of life.
“In my casual role, I worked nightshifts, sorting mail into the various postcodes for delivery around the UK. It’s challenging, as you need to ensure you’re accurately sending parcels to the correct postcodes – you don’t want to be responsible for someone not getting their Christmas present.
“If you want to become a festive casual, then work hard, work well, be accountable and responsible and do a good job, whether you are sweeping the floor or sorting mail.
“Also, have some ambition. I feel sure working as a Christmas casual helped in landing a permanent role.”
Perfect package
DELIVER yourself a new career with Yodel.
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The courier giant needs 1,500 temporary staff nationwide, including HGV Class 1 drivers, warehouse operatives, van drivers and couriers.
Carl Moore, chief operations officer, said: “We are always on the lookout for individuals who enjoy being part of a team.
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“As such, there is opportunity to become permanent in the New Year, with scope for long-term career progression.”
Apply at yodelopportunities.co.uk.
5,000 jobs at Currys
CURRYS PC WORLD and Carphone Warehouse are recruiting 5,000 festive season staff.
There are roles in store and at customer service centres plus supply chain jobs.
See https://careers.dixonscarphone.com.
5 ways to ho ho hold job
WITH Xmas preparations getting earlier each year, this weekend is the top time to apply for a Christmas job. Here, Oliver Wren from jobs board RetailChoice shares his tips for landing a festive job . . .
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- UPDATE YOUR CV: The first step of every job hunt is to make sure your CV is up to date and polished. Ask family and friends to read through it to check for any silly mistakes that might make you look disorganised.
- APPLY FAR AND WIDE: Temp roles can be very competitive, particularly among students, so apply for as many vacancies as possible. This might sound like a lot of work, but applications for temp roles can be quite similar. So simply check which parts need to be customised to the job before you send.
- BE TENACIOUS: Tens of thousands of job will come online in the next few weeks. If you’re not successful in your first few applications, don’t be disheartened. Keep trying.
- START APPLYING NOW: Recruiters are already on the hunt for Christmas talent, with many firms now accepting applications.
- A TEMP ISN’T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS: Retailers often make temps permanent once the festivities have died down. Target companies you would like to work for longer term.
Stock-ing filler
- EVERY little helps – but Tesco needs a lot this Christmas so is taking on more than 9,000 customer service assistants. Rachel Bushby, Tesco People Director, said: “Christmas is a special time of year at Tesco and one of our busiest.” Apply from Monday, October 7 at tesco-careers.com/christmas
- LANDING a job in a toy shop is child’s play this Christmas. The Entertainer is taking on 1,000 temp staff. See thetoyshop.com/careers. Smyths Toys is also recruiting, with approximately 20 vacancies per store across the UK. Roles include sales assistants and night staff to replenish stock. To apply, visit your local store and hand in a CV or complete an application form.
