Seasonal hiring is a common practice for many businesses, especially those that experience significant fluctuations in demand throughout the year. According to a 2023 survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., employers planned to hire an average of 509,300 seasonal workers during the 2022 holiday season. This was down 27% from the 701,400 seasonal jobs added during the 2021 holiday season. Here are some reasons why companies choose to hire seasonally and how you can be sure to secure a seasonal job this holiday season!
One main reason companies hire seasonally is to meet increased demand during peak periods. For example, retail stores need to hire more workers during the holiday season to handle the influx of shoppers. Another reason is to cover for employees who are on vacation or leave. And still another reason is to save money on labor costs. Seasonal workers are typically paid less than full-time employees, and they may not be eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
If you’re interested in a seasonal job, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Start your job search early. Seasonal hiring often begins in the summer or early fall, so it’s important to start your job search early. This will give you more time to research companies and positions, and to prepare your resume and cover letter.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. When applying for seasonal jobs, it’s important to tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific job you apply for. This shows employers that you’re interested in the specific position and that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company.
- Highlight your transferable skills. When applying for seasonal jobs, it’s important to highlight your transferable skills. These are skills that can be applied to a variety of jobs, such as customer service, communication, and teamwork.
- Be prepared for interviews. Seasonal hiring interviews are often shorter than interviews for permanent positions. So, it’s important to be prepared to answer common interview questions quickly and concisely.
When hiring seasonal workers, employers typically look for the following:
- Reliability: Employers want seasonal workers who are reliable and will show up to work on time and complete their assigned tasks.
- Positive attitude: Employers want seasonal workers who have a positive attitude and are willing to go the extra mile.
- Customer service skills: Many seasonal jobs involve interacting with customers, so employers want workers who have good customer service skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team: Many seasonal jobs require workers to be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Seasonal hiring can be a great way to gain valuable work experience and to make extra money. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of getting a seasonal job and sticking out from the competition.
Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.
And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.