You'd think it was Christmas already by looking at retail outlets across the country. However, the premature decorations and eye-watering garlands of green and red don't just induce a heady festive fever, but also the welcome promise of employment, glad tidings in the current climate.
Big retailers including Marks and Spencers, John Lewis and Argos have begun their annual Christmas temping drive; a campaign to get thousands of extra staff on board to handle the holiday rush. And let's not just talk shop: the leisure, tourism and healthcare industries are also in need of extra staff. Not to mention Royal Mail, of course, which has received record applications for its 18,000 seasonal positions.
Temping over the Christmas period not only provides you with a few extra pennies for presents but invaluable experience in a turbulent employment market, boosting your job prospects beyond the January sales.
Carol Donaldson, a resourcing manager for the John Lewis Partnership, recently told totaljobs.com that seasonal temping jobs are ideal roles to develop your skills and experience, and many people continue into a career long after the baubles are back in their boxes. The experience gained in temporary roles can also boost your future career in other ways, says Richard Small, head of resources at men's retailer TM Lewin. Having a temporary role on your CV shows a potential employer that you are enthusiastic and have taken initiative to find employment.
So whether you're looking to build your CV, earn some extra cash, or simply hide from Aunt Edna's mistletoe kisses, join us on Tuesday 8 November from 1pm - 4pm for our live Q&A. A panel of experts will be online to show you how to start looking for seasonal work and how to make the most of your holiday role.
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Our panel:
Stewart Dawson is operations manager at John Lewis Trafford. Prior to his current role, he was personnel manager at John Lewis Oxford Street for two and a half years.
Joanne Parker is project manager for Uksp.co.uk, the leading information site for careers in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry.
Anna Marriott represents WorkASeason.com where she is head of personnel and recruitment for Esprit Holidays, Inghams and Ski Total, the largest independent ski tour operator in the UK.
Susie McKay works for Mark Warner as manager and recruiter of Lakitira Waterfront Resort in Greece. Having worked 10 seasons herself, she can offer advice on making a career out of seasonal work.
Keith Chaplin-Mabbutt is a successful entrepreneur and graduate recruitment expert and the founder of CVSeeMe.com, the multi-award winning graduate recruitment website and Top 5 UK job board.
Steve Szita is the director of Dazzling CVs, a professional CV writing service.
Sam Danks and Leon Walton work for Acas, a service which improves organisations and working life through better employer/employee relations.
