Join Santa’s little helpers & seasonal work could be the path to full-time job

HAD it tough in 2020? Give yourself an early Christmas present with seasonal work.

Despite job losses in many sectors and the closure of restaurants and shops, there are 250,000 temporary festive roles up for grabs across the country.

Major employers are kicking off their seasonal recruitment.

In the past, around one in five Christmas temps have been offered permanent roles by their employers. So if you lost your job during the pandemic, this could be a route back into work.

Festive employment also improves your CV and gives you a fresh job reference, making it ideal for students or jobseekers returning to employment after time out.

This week, Sunemployment has more than 100,000 seasonal jobs listed, with tens of thousands more to come soon.

Employment minister Mims Davies said: “A temporary job leading up to the festive holidays is a great way to learn new employment skills, boost your confidence and build your CV while you earn some extra money.

“And it could always lead to something more permanent if you are looking for a change.”

Temp to perm

CANNY Karen Emery joined The Entertainer as a Christmas temp back in 2000 . . . and never left.

She is now an area manager with the toy store, in charge of 18 shops across the South West.

Karen, 48, from Midsomer Norton in Somerset, says: “I joined as a Christmas temp and almost immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the company for as long as I could. From the get-go I was encouraged, supported and challenged to be the best I could be.

“I am not alone in my career progression and many have proven that with a can-do attitude, dedication and ambition, the opportunities are there for the taking.

“Retail can be challenging but here it feels rewarding – a place where you make a difference to a child and their family. Those types of memories last a lifetime.

“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

This year the firm is hiring 600 staff for its Christmas Crew, with jobs in 170 stores nationwide. Find out more at thetoyshop.com/careers.

Plenty in store

SHOPS are facing a tough time but there are success stories – with some big names still hiring. 

TESCO needs 11,000 temporary staff for the festive season.

People director Rachel Bushby said: “We had a fantastic response for temporary jobs in lockdown and we’d love to hear back from anyone who worked here then. We’re looking for people who enjoy working as part of a team and will go the extra mile to help customers.” Apply from Monday at tesco-careers.com/christmas.

Or join the team at SPORTS DIRECT, which has 2,000 roles to fill. Apply at sportsdirect.com/jobs or email careers@sportsdirect.com.

And SMYTHS TOYS has 100 roles for sales assistants. To apply take your CV to your local store or apply online at indeed.co.uk/smyths-jobs-jobs.

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RESTAURANT and bar chain Buzzworks has 20 vacancies from kitchen porters to head chefs and managers. Visit buzzworksholdings.com/careers.

Making special deliveries

CLICK with a new job at AMAZON, which has 20,000 jobs on offer this Christmas.

New starters are needed to pick, pack and ship customer orders and there are roles for delivery drivers.

Apply at amazonjobs.co.uk or for delivery jobs, go to flex.amazon.co.uk.

ROYAL MAIL hires more than 20,000 festive workers every year for vital sorting roles. See jobs.royalmailgroup.com to find out more and apply.

Don’t leave all the hard work to Santa. There are more than 50,000 courier and delivery roles on offer to get gifts to the nation.

HERMES is taking on 13,000 at beacourier.co.uk, plus a further 650 at its head office, hub and depot network.

Find out more and apply at careers.hermes-europe.co.uk.

CITYSPRINT needs 750 couriers ahead of the Christmas rush. Go to citysprint.co.uk/couriers.

On-demand grocery service BEELIVERY needs 20,000 drivers. Apply at beelivery.com/driver.

Parcel giant YODEL is calling out for 2,950 new starters, with 2,500 self-employed and the rest in staff roles. Apply at yodelopportunities.co.uk or text “Deliver” to 84433.

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ALDI is hiring for festive roles around the country. Search for your new job at aldirecruitment.co.uk.

Get yourself noticed

WITH competition for Christmas jobs set to be fierce due to Covid redundancies, Steve McCall from Newcastle Jobcentre explains how to land one. 

He said: “Even in these challenging times, employers from many sectors look to employ people on a temporary basis in the run-up to and over Christmas. These vacancies are waiting to be filled and they offer great opportunities.”

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1. Check out the Job Help website and other job boards. New vacancies are posted daily and the Job Help site has free advice on how to create a stand-out CV and tips to excel in an interview.
2. Get on social media. Follow firms you are interested in applying for as they may post vacancies. Your local Jobcentre Plus will also tweet about local vacancies.

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