If you’re thinking of getting a Christmas job this year, there are always a last minutes jobs employers want to fill. Plus new year sales go on and on and on.
An important consideration is whether you enjoy speaking to customers or not. If you do, there are a variety of casual retail and sales assistant roles available over the Christmas period. If you do not enjoy customer service, you might consider applying to do packing, online fulfilment, forklift operation, and any other behind-the-scenes role. Deciding what type of role you are interested in will help you narrow your search and prepare accordingly.
Update your resumé
Christmas casual employers are looking for specific things, and your resumé must consider these. During this time, employers are usually time-poor and receive multitudes of applications. Help your resumé stand out by following these tips:
- Make sure your resumé is no longer than two pages.
- Mention your contact details on top so employers have quick access (many employers will call to assess communication skills over the phone).
- Put your availability near the top, mentioning the flexible hours/days you can work.
- In most cases, there is no need to mention the details of your course – the university and program name will suffice (though if you are studying hospitality and applying for a hospitality job, it can be helpful to include your GPA).
- If you possess key skills that are relevant to the job, mention these (for example, people skills, organisational skills and communication skills are crucial in most Christmas casual positions).
- Remember to mention any leadership positions you might have held, including in school.
- Mention any previous casual jobs or volunteering roles you have had.
- A short note on your hobbies and interests can help to showcase your personality.
Research the brand
While most Christmas casual listings do not ask you to provide a cover letter, you may be asked why you are interested in the role or the company.
- Before writing a response, have a look at the company’s website and read through the brand values. Matching your response to these values, and aligning them to your own values and experiences, shows the employer that you will be a fitting addition to their company and teams.
- If you have ever held a retail or customer service job, make sure to mention skills such as point-of-sale handling, bagging and gift-wrapping.
Listing your availability
When employers hire additional staff for the holidays, they are looking for people who are flexible in their availability. Be honest about your capacity but try to be as available as you can. We recommend listing full-day availability on the days you can work. Also be reasonable about the time you’ll need for other commitments, such as study, internships and relaxation time. If you have a holiday planned, mention it in your application. If you show your employer that you are right for the job, they will likely offer you a role and shifts even if your availability is slightly limited.
How and where to apply
Here are a few places you can look for Christmas casual jobs:
Google ‘Christmas + casual + your location’ to get an idea of the Christmas casual roles nearby.
Type ‘Christmas casual’ on job search sites such as Seek, Indeed and Jora.
For smaller retailers and cafés, apply in person with a printed copy of your resumé. These places usually seek someone who can enhance customers’ store experience and they will want to meet prospective employees in person.
Christmas casual jobs usually require long hours, often late into the night. Remember to be mindful of your own safety and ensure you work in a location you are familiar with.