Faith and Finance
It’s time to start thinking about holiday jobs. With Christmas just a few months away, your chances of getting a part time seasonal job increase if you start looking now.
The Wall Street Journal gave warning this year that the outlook for part time jobs this Christmas may be the lowest we’ve seen in years. Their research showed that 25% of the major retailers interviewed had suggested that a lower number of seasonal workers would be employed in 2011. Businesses, especially retailers, are trying to function with smaller crews and longer hours.
Tips for Getting a Seasonal Job
So before we even look at holiday job ideas, make sure you are putting yourself in the best possible position for actually getting the job.
Be flexible. Employers in this economy are looking for people who can work flexible hours and cover weekends and holidays. If you’re applying for a job, make sure the hiring manager knows that you’re willing to put them first in your schedule. Your chances of landing that job will improve significantly.
Prep Your Resume. Dust off your old resume (or create a new one) and be prepared to give prospecting employers a list of references. Be sure that your references know that you’re using them – a small mistake, but really embarrassing if left undone.
Bring a Positive Attitude. It’s the holidays – employers want people who are positive, cheerful, enthusiastic, and hardworking. Do your best to stand out by being patient and friendly while meeting the store manager.
12 Holiday Job Ideas
1. Retail Stores, Malls, and Grocery Stores
Retail stores account for about 16% of the total US employment. With everyone getting ready for the holidays, employers often boost the number of holiday rep staff in order to meet to the demand. Just make sure you apply early in case a smaller number of retail jobs appear this holiday.
Earnings Potential: Expect to make minimum wage at retail jobs
2. Snow Removal and Cleanup
You don’t need to have a team of trucks and a large crew to make money in the winter. You simply need a few houses, a shovel or snow blower and strong work ethic. Be willing to wake up early and to work long and hard days for this job. The good thing is that you can work for yourself and take on as many jobs as you can handle (weather permitting :) ) **Bonus Tip ** Create flyers or magnets ahead of time and let your neighbors know that they can call you for fast snow removal service.
Earnings Potential: $30 per hour is the going rate for many Midwest operations, so bidding your job a little lower might help you stand out.
3. Christmas Tree Shop
People still use real trees at Christmas, and local tree farms often need help cutting, cleaning, and tying trees for customers.
Earnings Potential: Expect to make minimum wage
4. Cutting and Selling Firewood
Our family owned about three acres of woods and we had plenty of trees to use for firewood. If you have extra trees, you could make a few extra dollar by bundling them into small, easy to handle bundles.
Earnings Potential: The going rate is about $150-$200 a chord which is about 4’ high by 4’ deep by 8’ long
5. Gift Wrapping
There are a lot of options when it comes to gift wrapping. I’ve seen kiosks in malls, people employed full time at stores, and even family members pay each other to wrap gifts.
Earnings Potential: Expect to make minimum wage at a store. If you’re doing it on your own, you might charge $1.00 per gift on average.
6. Wreath Making
If you’re a craft person, the holidays might be your time to make a few extra dollars! Get creative and make custom wreaths or decorations that you can sell online, at church, or to small boutiques locally.
Earnings Potential: Custom wreaths and centerpieces can sell for $30 or more. Just make sure you consider your time and materials!
7. House Sitting
People are visiting family out of state and may like the idea of a house sitter. I did this in high school for a weekend and made a quick $100. Let coworkers, friends, church members, and neighbors know that you’re available to housesit while they’re on vacation for Christmas.
Earnings Potential: It depends from house to house, but try to ask for $25 per day.
8. Light Hanging and Decorating
Many of your older neighbors still like the idea of decorating their house, but they may not be able to physically decorate. Grab a ladder and let people know that you will set up their holiday ornaments so they don’t have to do all that work in the cold! The same is true for local businesses. Just be sure to negotiate both the setup and tear down in the agreement.
Earnings Potential: For outdoor decoration that involves heights, I would charge $20 per hour at least.
9. High School Cleaning
During one Christmas break, I got a job at a local high school painting classrooms. It lasted about three weeks, but in that time I made close to $1,000.
Earnings Potential: Expect to make minimum wage at high schools.
10. Dog Sitting
Friends going out of town for the holidays? Someone has to watch Fido. If you have the space to watch pets, you can make a few extra dollars and have a furry friend for the week.
Earnings Potential: Pet boarding rates start around $10 a night.
11. Ski Lodge Crew
For those who are fortunate to live near a ski resort during the holidays, you might be able to work in the lodge or at the restaurant for the season.
Earnings Potential: Expect to earn minimum wage.
12. Christmas Party Music and Entertainment
This is one of the most profitable side jobs I’ve ever had during the holidays. A group of us would play a jazz set at a Christmas party for two hours and clear a cool $100 each. You could also make extra money playing for weddings, but those seem to be few and far between for the winter months.
Earnings Potential: $250 – $500 for a two hour party is a good place to start. Expect to earn more in more urban areas.
Have you ever had any luck with seasonal jobs? What have you done that wasn’t already listed here?
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