Take That Holiday Job

There are signs in most major department stores advertising for holiday help.  While you many never have thought about applying for a seasonal job, you may want to rethink what it can buy you.

There are some obvious benefits to taking a seasonal job.

1. Bring in some money - it may not be what you were earning, but money is money.
   
2. Get out of the house - for many of us, a reason to get out of the house, the need to be somewhere, can really lift our spirits.
   
3. Meet new people - it gives you the chance to expand your network.  The person working next to you may have contacts at a company you've been trying to get into.  Remember, you never know who someone knows until you ask.
   
4. Uncover opportunities - this may actually turn out to be in the company or store you're working in.  While the majority of seasonal opportunities are in sales, there are back office ans support functions in most major stores either locally or at their headquarters.  You could end up uncovering an opportunity in marketing, accounting or graphics and you'd be coming to it from the inside.
   
5. Discover a new passion - you might just find out that you love sales.  This could be an eye-opening experience.

Working during the holiday doesn't mean you stop your search. While you may have to creatively juggle your time, you can still set up network meetings before or after work, respond to postings in the evening and, should you score an interview, to schedule it during your lunch break. Is this a challenge? Yes. Is it doable? Yes.

These jobs are filling up fast and the time to act is now.  Reframe what a short-term job can bring you, take advantage of the opportunity and go for that seasonal job.