TT&S Weekly (10/29/12)
Topic of the Week Holiday Hired!
- Work-focused.
- Homework.
- Flexibility.
- Enthusiasm.
Holiday Hired!: Landing a Seasonal Job
Seasonal jobs can be more than just being one of Santa's elves or a cashier/punching bag. According to CareerBuilder, 62% of the jobs will pay $10 or more an hour, up from 53% last year. And 22% are paying $16 or more an hour, up from 14% last year. But it gets better, 39% of employers plan on hiring some of the seasonal workers, up from 30% last year. Finally, 41% of the jobs aren't filled yet, so you still have time to get hired. Which reminds me of a holiday job from a few years ago, the Charmin Ambassador. You'd get paid $10,000 to entertain people on the way in and out of Times Square's favorite public restroom.
It's easy to lose hope when your job prospects have been in the toilet, but there are opportunities out there that pay considerably more than minimum wage. Here are strategies that will help you to flush away past failures and get you working again according to hiring mangers.
Work-focused. 21% of hiring managers want people who aren't just in it for a discount, but who actually want to work. One way to show them that you're ready to hit the ground running is to learn some of the language that is used in the industry that you're applying for. Two favorites from my career: whales and sucking chrome. Whales refers to deep pocketed customers and sucking chrome to automobile enthusiasts. Strategically use key industry terminology and they'll see that you're ready to get to work.
Homework. 31% of those hiring want you to know something about the company. Which reminds me of the guy who wore a Reebok shirt to an interview with Nike. You wouldn't think that a logo could lose you a job, but for this guy it did. Do your homework.
Flexibility. 48% of hiring staff want to hire workers who are flexible and can adapt to their workplace. To me this is the easiest way to get on the radar screen for an employer, to fill in for a shift at the last minute. I know this is very tough with kid's schedules and doctor's appointments, but remember, it's just for a month or two and it could mean permanent work.
Enthusiasm. 55% are looking for staff that doesn't need to be motivated to do a good job, they're enthusiastic right from the start. Here is a trick, if you are doing a phone interview, and chances are that's the first contact that you'll have with the company, be sure to have a mirror in front of you so you can maintain a smile. That will help you to come across much better to the interviewer. If you make it to the next step, a face-to-face interview, be sure to arrive caffeinated in terms of your enthusiasm.
One of the people who applied for the Charmin Ambassador job seemed born for the gig, after all, he resided in Flushing, Queens. There could also be a seasonal job out there just for you too.
Bob Rosner is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. For free job and work advice, check out the award-winning workplace911.com. Check the revised edition of his Wall Street Journal best seller, "The Boss's Survival Guide." If you have a question for Bob, contact him via bob@workplace911.com.
Thought of the Week
"The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole."
–Anonymous
Weekly Comic by Jerry King
Blog of the Week
Top Five News Headlines
List of the Week
from CareerBuilder.com
What Employers Are Looking For: Seasonal Jobs in Highest Demand
- Customer Service, 23%
- Administrative/Clerical support, 15%
- Hospitality, 15%
- Shipping/Delivery, 14%
- Accounting/Finance, 9%