When you went to Target to pick up back-to-school necessities, did you happen to notice the Christmas décor aisles already in place next to the Halloween candy? The Holly Daze has begun! 
Retailers do 25% of their annual business during the winter holidays, and they start hiring staff to support the surge in September. So if you hope to work during winter break for a retail establishment, apply soon!
Major chains often require you to start with an online application, whereas locally-owned shops (like those in Proctor, or on 6th Ave.) may prefer that you walk in to apply.
Retailers need: Characters and Entertainers, In-Store Demonstration Personnel, Store Ambassadors, Trouble Shooters, Gift Wrappers, and Security Personnel in addition to Cashiers and Stockers.
Make your list, and check it twice.
Use multiple resources to identify seasonal retail jobs:
- Search LoggerJobs for openings marked as Temporary, Part-Time, and Hire Immediately.
- Look up your favorite stores online. Search for an “employment,” “jobs,” or “career” link.
- Try these general sites: workinretail.com, jobdango.com, and snagajob.com.
Retail not your thing? Check out these non-retail holiday job options:
Ski Resorts need additional instructors and patrollers as well as many support staff jobs in hospitality and lift operations. Search Coolworks.com for seasonal opportunities nation-wide.
Local resorts typically offer job fairs in October:
White Pass
Crystal Mountain
Summit at Snoqualmie
Hotels, Casinos, Amusement Parks, Theaters, Restaurants, Catering, and Coffee Shops all tend to add staff for the holidays. Search on “seasonal” or “holiday” at indeed.com, simplyhired.com, washingtonjobnetwork.com or jobster.com.
Package delivery services add drivers and handlers. Try FedEx, DHL, and the other UPS.
Service and Call Centers need extra folk, too. Look on-line to see if businesses have local phone centers. REI has a center in Sumner.
Businesses often use agencies to fill temporary gaps during the holiday season. Try Kelly, North West Staffing, Labor Ready or Pace.
And remember, CES is like Santa’s holiday workshop, full of busy elves working behind the scenes to guide you through your job search prep. Resume-reviewing elves…mock-interviewing elves…job-search-strategy elves. We can help you get through the hiring Holly Daze. Just ask!
© 2012 Career and Employment Services, University of Puget Sound
Photo of Serni Claus by ASUPS
It would be great if the Logger Jobs link would actually work…once you select in your cascade account it just says page not found.
There were technical difficulties Feb.10-14, 2012 that caused access issues. We apologize for the inconvenience; the system is functioning again.
If anyone is still experiencing problems with CES Cascade resources (LoggerJobs, InternshipLink, Alumni Sharing Knowledge Network, etc.) please contact us. We want to ensure all Puget Sound students and recent grads have access.
Also, if you’d like a guided tour of the resources—assistance setting up Search Agents, developing a search strategy, etc—we’d be happy to oblige!