For someone that sees limitless opportunity in any experience, a winter seasonal job is far from a simple hourly customer support position that will end with the holidays. Landing a seasonal job is without a doubt a worthy reason to rejoice, as it represents a new chance to meet people, build skills and who knows what else. This is particularly true if you happen to also be in the market for full-time work.
Holiday hiring is in high demand this year, with less people looking for jobs and retail sales booming. So jobseekers have an excellent opportunity this winter to get their foot in the door at a company that interests them by taking a seasonal job. Nailing the interview is half the battle, however. Now you have the chance to prove yourself through your work. To increase the chances of your seasonal job turning into a full-time position, there are a few extra steps you should take while on the job:
1) Make yourself as available as possible
When you start your seasonal job, give your employer a wide range of days and times you can work, including nights and weekends if needed. Not only will this give you more exposure to the ins and outs of the company, it will show your employer that you are someone they can count on in challenging times.
Winter Seasonal Jobs Present Full-Time Opportunities for Jobseekers
2) Network with coworkers and supervisors
Be friendly and make an extra effort to get to know the people you are working with at your seasonal job, particularly those that have been with the company for a while and have influence in decision making. That way, if you end up being considered for a full-time position once the winter holiday season ends, these people will be likely to put in a good word for you. Also, ask more experienced employees for advice on how to do your job better.
The Best Companies to Find Seasonal Jobs at This Winter
3) Go above and beyond
Make your superiors aware that you see your winter seasonal job as more than just hourly income; you want to contribute as much as possible to the company. If you are working in customer support, show extra interest in helping shoppers find what they need. Also, don’t be afraid to take any opportunity you see to expand your skills and expertise to other departments or areas of the company, without sacrificing the responsibilities you were hired for. The more of your skills your employer is aware of, the more they are likely to think of you for future full-time openings.
For Seasonal Jobs This Winter, It’s a Jobseekers’ Market
4) Be proactive
Whenever you see a continuing problem that is affecting the company’s success, see what you can do to offer a solution, and make your superiors aware of it. This is likely to happen particularly with seasonal jobs, since the increase in customers and sales at this time of year can cause some chaos, and usually requires some unforeseen adjustments as the winter holiday season progresses. Such changes that could be made to improve customer support include simplifying checkout procedures to make lines move faster, or arranging merchandise in a manner that enables customers to find what they need more quickly and easily.
Customer Support Seasonal Jobs in High Demand This Winter
5) Be reliable
Always show up on time, don’t call out of work unless it is an emergency, be in a positive state of mind, and fulfill all of your duties thoroughly. Pay close attention to what you are doing and the needs of customers you are dealing with. Don’t look for shortcuts, and be willing to stay late if it is necessary to complete your job and close out the day in an efficient and organized manner.
Beware of Seasonal Job Scams as the Winter Holidays Approach
If in the end you do not land a full-time position once your seasonal job ends, all is not lost. Stay in touch with the company by checking in periodically, and your good performance is likely to result in a couple of references that will come in handy in your job search. Also, you are likely to encounter challenging situations and problem-solving in your winter seasonal job that will serve as excellent material for future interviews.
Jessica Cody
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