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As we approach the holiday season, retailers everywhere are ramping up their hiring efforts for seasonal retail employees to assist with the anticipated holiday rush. Employers depend on seasonal workers during this time of year to manage higher traffic in stores as well as increased demand in their warehouses. Employers will be looking to fill a myriad of positions quickly, so it’s a great time to begin your seasonal job search. Whether you’re looking for a part-time temporary position to earn some extra cash, a good resume builder that will allow you to advance in the retail industry, or even a temporary position that has the potential to turn permanent, a seasonal position is a great option for all types of retail job seekers.

If you’re looking to add more experience to your resume, a seasonal position is a great way to do so. Whether it’s a gap you’re looking to fill while you’re between careers, or if you’re new to the retail industry and looking to gain some experience that will allow you to apply for other positions you aspire to, taking a seasonal job can get you there. Not only will you be able to add your seasonal job to your resume, you’ll gain invaluable skills in a short amount of time that you can talk about in future interviews and utilize in future roles. Retail positions can equip you with both hard and soft skills such as customer service, attention to detail, interpersonal communication, the use of point of sale systems and more. When looking to hire for permanent positions, many employers prefer candidates that already have some of these skills, so a seasonal position is a great resume builder for entry-level candidates.

Another strong benefit of seasonal retail positions is that they offer more flexibility and less commitment than a typical retail position. Retailers typically need to fill all sorts of shifts, from early morning to overnight stocking positions. With many stores offering extended holiday hours, the options are virtually endless, and a lot of times you can select the shifts that work best in your schedule. This is especially beneficial for people with other commitments such as students and parents. If you’re looking to earn some extra cash for your holiday shopping but don’t want the commitment of a full-time job, a part-time, seasonal position could also be your answer. If you’re interested in getting into the retail industry but unsure if it’s something you will enjoy long term, taking a seasonal position can allow you to test the waters before fully committing to a new career. This flexibility is a huge incentive for job seekers to take on seasonal positions.

If there is a specific company you’ve had your eye on but haven’t been able to land a job at, try looking at their seasonal offerings. Although temporary, there is often a good chance that seasonal jobs can turn into a full time gig, given that you excel in the position and impress your manager. If you’re committed and reliable and can go above and beyond to demonstrate your growth in the position, your employer may take notice and want to bring you on as a full-time employee. There’s no guarantee, but seasonal positions can be a really good way to get your foot in the door and make professional connections that could lead to more permanent roles, whether with the same company or another one. Networking is crucial in all industries, and retail is no different. Even if the company doesn’t have any full-time positions available once your seasonal position is up, you will at the very least gain a good professional reference that can help you get hired somewhere else.

The nature of seasonal retail positions make them attractive to all sorts of job seekers for a variety of reasons. Not only can you gain valuable experience in a short amount of time, you can do so on your own schedule, all while gaining professional networking contacts that you can use to advance in your career once the seasonal position is up. The increased demand brought on by the holiday season opens up so many different opportunities in the retail industry, from front-of-house cashiers and sales associates to fulfillment specialists and forklift operators. There’s something for everyone, and you only stand to benefit from these types of low-risk, high-reward opportunities.