02.12.2024

Finding work over christmas

Finding work over the Christmas period can be a great way to earn extra income, gain experience, or even get your foot in the door for a longer-term position. While it may seem challenging with the holidays approaching, there are actually a lot of opportunities available if you know where to look and how to approach your search. Here are some tips to help you find work over Christmas:

1. Temporary and Seasonal Jobs

Christmas is a peak time for many industries, particularly retail, hospitality, and logistics, so companies often hire seasonal workers to handle the increase in demand. Here are some popular sectors where temporary or part-time jobs are common:

  • Retail: Many stores, especially those in the high street, shopping centers, or department stores, hire extra staff to cope with the Christmas rush. This can include roles in sales, customer service, stock replenishment, or cashier positions.
    • Where to look: High street shops, supermarkets, department stores (e.g., John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, or Sainsbury’s), online stores (e.g., Amazon or ASOS).
  • Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars often need additional staff for the busy Christmas period. Positions can range from waitstaff, kitchen assistants, bartenders, to receptionists or event coordinators.
    • Where to look: Local cafes, pubs, hotels, restaurants, event venues, and caterers.
  • Delivery and Logistics: With the rise in online shopping, delivery companies often need extra help during the holidays. Positions can include delivery drivers, warehouse operatives, or stock pickers.
    • Where to look: Delivery companies like Royal Mail, Hermes, DPD, Amazon, or couriers.
  • Customer Service: Many companies need extra support for customer service during the busy holiday period. These roles can often be done remotely, making them a good option if you prefer working from home.
    • Where to look: Call centers, online retailers, or e-commerce platforms.
  • Event-Based Jobs: Christmas parties, markets, festivals, and events often create short-term employment opportunities. You might find roles in event coordination, ticket sales, food stalls, or entertainment.
    • Where to look: Local event listings, community centers, or temporary staffing agencies.

2. Freelancing and Remote Work

If you're looking for flexibility, freelancing can be a great option during the holidays. Many businesses need extra help with tasks such as content creation, graphic design, social media management, customer support, or data entry. With many people taking time off during the holidays, freelancers can often find work that needs to be completed before the end of the year.

  • Freelance Platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour are good places to find short-term, freelance work in a variety of fields.
  • Remote Customer Service: Many companies hire remote customer service representatives during busy periods, which can allow you to work from home. This is common for e-commerce platforms or tech companies.
  • Content Creation: If you're a writer, editor, or graphic designer, companies and websites often need content for their blogs, social media, or marketing campaigns during the festive season.

3. Look for Gig Economy Jobs

The gig economy continues to thrive during the Christmas period, and there are many opportunities for flexible work that you can do around your own schedule. Popular gig jobs include:

  • Food Delivery: Companies like UberEats, Deliveroo, or JustEat are often busy over the holidays, and food delivery drivers can often find work quickly.
  • Ridesharing: If you drive, you can work as an Uber or Lyft driver. Christmas can be a busy time for ridesharing services, especially around social events, shopping, and travel.
  • Task-Based Platforms: Apps like TaskRabbit or Handy offer opportunities for doing odd jobs, such as helping people with shopping, cleaning, assembly, or running errands. These can be perfect for flexible, short-term work during the holidays.

4. Temp Agencies and Job Boards

Many temporary recruitment agencies specialize in finding staff for seasonal or short-term work, especially in retail, hospitality, and logistics. These agencies can help connect you with companies that need extra help over Christmas.

  • Temporary Agencies: Look for agencies that specialize in temp roles, such as Adecco, Reed, Manpower, or Hays. These agencies often have a wide range of short-term job opportunities, from customer service to warehouse and admin positions.
  • Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, Totaljobs, Monster, and Glassdoor will list both full-time and temporary roles. Look specifically for jobs with "seasonal" or "Christmas" in the title.
  • Staffing Agencies: Some agencies focus on recruiting specifically for seasonal work. Companies like Blue Arrow, JustJobs247, or Staffline specialize in short-term roles across various sectors.

5. Prepare Your CV and Application

  • Tailor Your CV: When applying for temporary work, highlight any previous experience in retail, customer service, or other relevant fields. Even if you don’t have direct experience, emphasize transferable skills like communication, organization, or multitasking.
  • Keep Your Cover Letter Short and Sweet: Write a brief cover letter explaining why you're interested in the role and how you can help the company during the busy holiday period.
  • Flexibility: Many Christmas jobs require flexibility, so emphasize your ability to work evenings, weekends, or even on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve if you're open to those hours.

6. Network and Ask Around

  • Personal Connections: Ask friends, family, or acquaintances if they know of any companies hiring for temporary or seasonal work over Christmas. Networking can sometimes uncover hidden job opportunities.
  • Social Media and LinkedIn: Keep an eye on job postings on LinkedIn and Twitter. You might also join local Facebook groups or community boards where temporary positions are posted.
  • Contact Employers Directly: If there’s a particular company you’re interested in, consider reaching out to them directly. Sometimes companies don’t advertise all of their open positions online, so sending a polite email or calling them can help you stand out.

7. Stay Flexible and Positive

  • Adapt to the Need: Some Christmas jobs may not be exactly what you envisioned, but if you're flexible and open to different roles, you increase your chances of finding work.
  • Don’t Overlook Part-Time or Short Shifts: If you're looking to make extra money or just want to stay occupied, consider part-time shifts that might be less advertised.

8. Consider Volunteer Opportunities

While volunteering doesn’t come with pay, it can be a great way to gain experience, expand your network, and give back during the holiday season. Volunteering can also help keep your resume active if you’re between jobs, and some charities or organizations might offer paid opportunities in the future.

  • Charity Shops and Shelters: Many charities need extra hands during the Christmas period, whether it's for serving meals, collecting donations, or running events.
  • Local Community Groups: Check with community centers or local events in your area—they may need volunteers or staff for events or holiday activities.

Conclusion

The Christmas period can be a busy time for hiring, with many industries needing temporary, part-time, or flexible workers. By targeting industries that experience a holiday rush—like retail, hospitality, logistics, and customer service—you can find a variety of opportunities. Whether you're looking for short-term cash or a more structured role, be proactive, stay flexible, and tailor your applications to stand out. With a bit of preparation, you can secure a rewarding and fulfilling Christmas job.

Posted by: Extraman Recruitment