I want to pick up a part-time job for the season but am not sure where to start looking. What places typically hire for part-time seasonal work and when should I start applying?
In terms of where to find seasonal part-time jobs, there are brick-and-mortar establishments that typically amp up their staff during certain seasons. Retail stores, for instance, often hire extra employees during the holiday season to help with the increase in customers. Similarly, restaurants and catering businesses tend to hire additional staff during the holiday season for hosting parties and events.
Additionally, tax preparation firms sometimes hire seasonal support during tax season (January to April). If you live near a vacation area, you might find seasonal openings in the hospitality or tourism industries, either over the summer for tourist season, or in the winter for the ski season depending on the location.
Seasonal job openings usually pop up a few weeks to a couple of months prior to the start of the busy period. So, if you're looking to work over the summer, start your job hunt in spring. For the holiday season, look for postings in late fall.
Remember that even though a job is seasonal, you're likely competing with other candidates, so treating each job application with a degree of professionalism is important. Tailor your resume to each specific role, highlighting relevant skills and past job experience, and try to create a compelling cover letter.
In terms of where to find these postings, online job boards such as Indeed, Craigslist, and LinkedIn are solid starting places. Also, check out local community bulletin boards or websites. Many businesses also post jobs directly on their websites, so if there are specific places where you'd like to work, check there frequently. Good luck on your job search!
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