Has anyone worked a seasonal (holiday) job....

[traces7]

I'm thinking about trying to get a part-time job for the holiday season, not that I want too, but I could really use the money and thought this would be a good way to test out how I like working a part-time job in addition to my full-time job.

I get home around 5 pm from my full-time job. I'm thinking of trying Kohls or Walmart. We don't have a lot of stores near us. Anybody ever work at either for the holidays? How was it?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I can't imagine working at Wally World, esp during the holidays. Do you have a mall or a target?

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I'm a retail vendor so I make store calls to Walmart, Target, Kohls, Kmart, and Toys R Us.

I would NOT recommend working at Walmart, the customers can be downright nasty during the holidays. I call on a number of Walmarts, and this tends to be the trend at most.

I think the atmosphere at Target, Kohls, or Toys R Us is much more pleasant. Just something to consider. Good luck!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Retail managers can be very demanding, the holidays are our busy time, and we want maximum availability and effort out of everyone, including the seasonal help. I have two recommendations
1. Check out the places you are considering, get a real feel for the customers. Difficult customers can be mentally taxing, and you will feel like you worked a ten hour shift after only four hours of nasty customers.

2. Get your availability in writing signed by the manager or scheduling coordinator. You don't want anyone scheduling you outside your availability just because it meets their needs.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I have not worked a seasonal job exactly, but I have worked part time in retail during the holiday season (at a card/gift store, it was my only job at the time), and I currently work a part time job (waitress) after the hours of a full time job. As someone else mentioned, I'd be careful of your scheduling. Consider whether you want to get a lot of hours if it will only be short term, or just make a little extra money on a lighter schedule. What seems like not a lot will take its toll, especially when dealing with cranky customers!

With that being said, I say go for it! The money from 2 jobs far outweighs the stress for me, and waitressing is so different from my full time job that switching gears helps me to get a second wind at 5pm. I also enjoyed retail during the holidays because it may have been stressful, but it was never boring!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Stop by your local Security guard firms. They pay better than retail, the work is lighter if you can get a watch person position. It's hard to get reliable help in that area. Young guys call in, the woman are highly regarded as hey work hard for their families and show up.

You do not need specialty training, by the job site they will train. It maybe midnights at some sites.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I've worked two Christmas seasons in retail. It's rough after you worked a full 8 hour day. But manageable.

One thing. Make sure you're already off work from your first job on Black Friday. At both jobs, they scheduled everyone for full 8- hour shifts. No exceptions.

 

[msmama]

I left retail s while ago, but like a PP said, you WILL have to work Black Friday (possibly thanksgiving now too since stores are doing that). Probably Xmas eve as well. If you can't work them, it's possible they won't even hire you.

Retail at Xmas at Xmas is not fun and I'd have to get paid a lot more than what they offer to do it again!

 

[crisi]

I liked retail at Christmas - but scheduling is a pain in the back end. I always worked in small mall stores though, not for anywhere like Target. Some retail managers really don't get that for workers like you that job is your third priority - after your 'real' job and your family - and if they can't work to your schedule they won't have you. By the end of the season, its inevitable that that sort of manager is short staffed and pushing the staff who needs their jobs beyond breaking - because Beth who used to be able to come in from 4-9 on Tuesdays and Thursday but absolutely couldn't work Wednesdays because it was her daughters dance class night got scheduled for and didn't show up for a Wednesday shift and got fired. With that sort of manager, putting it in writing isn't going to help (putting it in writing will help the manager remember who can work when though - don't count on a verbal "Wednesday nights are bad." )

 

[Fire14]

I worked at Kohls and other than Black Friday, I worked 4-6 hr shifts that really didn't seem any worse than a regular day at store. Granted I worked daytime hours and was gone by 2p in afternoon so I never really saw true craziness. I just had issues with store Mgr. and her push, push CC on everyone game.

 

[traces7]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Not sure I'm going to try it, just was a thought on a way to get some extra money! I heard on the radio Walmart was hiring for overnight stocking in toys and electronics, but didn't hear the hours, thought that might not be too bad. I probably won't do it, just a thought. We live about 18 miles from the mall, there would be more options there, but too far to go for just part time. Not too crazy about working Black Friday either!!

 

[maplevale]

I did a few retail stints over the holidays. If you get home at 5 be prepared to have shifts from 6 to 1-2 hours after your mall closes depending on the store. In some malls as you get close to Christmas it can hit 11pm or later.

Also - like other posted Thanksgiving/Black Friday but also Christmas Eve (more then once I had closing shifts and was there till 7pm and I have heard of stores redoing their displays on Christmas Eve so they are fresh after Christmas).

Make sure you find out the wage - retail here pays minimal - so figure out if your time is really worth it once you factor in driving there and back, being away from family, being extra tired at your regular job and possible stress of dealing with frantic shoppers!

 

[JillianMarie]

Personally, I've always liked working retail during the holidays. Yes, it's busy. Yes, it's hectic. But I think it's also a lot of fun I'm a very social person and I actually really like the constant interaction with people and getting to meet new coworkers and such. And you'll make some money, sure, but the real advantage is if you work somewhere that has an employee discount that you can use.

I know everyone has a different tolerance for these things, but I say don't knock it 'till you've tried it. Worst case scenario you spend 3 months of your life busier than you'd prefer and then it's over and you have a fatter bank account for your trouble.

 

[disneyhand]

I took what I thought would be a fun part time position last year in a store that sells cool cooking, kitchen stuff. They also have classes. I started in October and ended in April.

I left for many different reasons, but mainly it just wasn't fun or financially worth it. The way they scheduled was a nightmare for employees and made it really hard to make any personal holiday plans. The 2 busiest holiday weeks were insane because there were never enough of us working and mall parking was a nightmare. I wouldn't do it again.

This year I am back to looking forward to the holidays and making plans!

 

[windycitymom]

In between full-time jobs, I once worked at Bath & Body Works for the holiday season and liked it. Not only did I have to work Black Friday, but I had to be there by 4 am to prepare for the 5 am opening (which meant I woke up at 3 am to get ready!). Not easy after hosting Thanksgiving. I had no idea how crowded malls get for BF!! BBW tells you right upfront that if you can't work BF or the week in between Xmas and NYear's than don't bother applying.

I love the products and I'm out-going, so it was fun. The big scent that season was Winter Wonderland, so everytime I use it, it reminds me of that time period I only wish it paid more than minimum wage. I had to keep looking for an office job that paid better and offered benefits (healthcare, dental, 401k, vacation, STD/LTD, etc.).

Working retail is a good way to build your resume back-up if you've been out of the work force for a while or if you want some extra pocket money. If memory serves, the customers were very nice and I don't recall any crazy stories.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Do you live close to a university or college? I work full time as a paralegal, but during the Fall/Winter I (along with 3 other people) videotape football and basketball games at William and Mary (I kind of lucked into it as my BIL is one of the head media guys at W&M). They also have people who work the ticket windows and concession areas. If you live close to a college, maybe keep an eye out on their websites or send some emails to people who may run these events. I basically work 3 hours, 3 days a week for basketball starting in November (football is only about 4-5 games on Saturdays September through November), and then it's over by February.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Oh, another thing I do for some extra cash is when any major race (running) comes to our area that has an Expo. They need people to be cashiers and restock the apparel. It's a crazy weekend and you usually have to work all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Friday can sometimes be negotiated), but I have gotten paid anywhere from $11-$13 an hour. About a month or so before the race I'll send an email to the email addresses I can find on the race website (i.e. race organizers) to see if they need help. Be careful, though, let them know that you are looking for a paying position. Sometimes they will think you're volunteering.

Also, we have RV and Boat shows during the Fall/Winter and I contact them too (to work the ticket windows). Sometimes they say they don't need anyone, but it doesn't hurt to contact them!

I have gotten some decent side money from these types of jobs and the time goes by quickly with little to no drama.

I'm a very busy girl during the Fall/Winter lol.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I have no idea if this is good advice or not but, I worked in catering in college, many, many years ago; and we were always busiest right before the holidays and almost always on the weekends and nights, but never on the actual holidays.

I could pick up big banquets and smaller receptions pretty easily once it became known that I was polite and attentive to everyone whether they wore a mink or cloth coat; knew how to mix tea concentrate just right; could put together a floral bouquet out of bags of cheap stuff bought at the supermarket; could convince people that they were getting the dark roast coffee they'd asked for and not our standard decaf; and (most importantly), when given a menu, knew exactly what silverware to pull, how to substitute for what we didn't have in the racks and where to put it all on a table.

Not a really complicated skill set; basically, act nice to everyone, show up on time every time, and pretend like you know what you're doing. . .

 

[ilovemk76]

I'm thinking about trying to get a part-time job for the holiday season, not that I want too, but I could really use the money and thought this would be a good way to test out how I like working a part-time job in addition to my full-time job.

I get home around 5 pm from my full-time job. I'm thinking of trying Kohls or Walmart. We don't have a lot of stores near us. Anybody ever work at either for the holidays? How was it?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

I would figure out why I need the money and if I could manage to cut back in that area. Then I would decide if part time job for two month would solve my financial problem. And I would be sure that I would not spend more at that store with my employee discount than I earned working there, thus possibly worsening my financial problem.

If you just want the job for Christmas present, then go to work for the place would would normally shop to get the employee discount.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I worked part time as a merchindizer at sears. I higly reccomend trying for a merchindizing position. NO angry customers to deal with, no grumpy people! Yes, I had to work some odd hours (6 to 8 am on sundays, 8 to midnight before holidays). I never had to work an actual holiday but may have had to put in a late shift the night before (latest ever was 1 am on the night before thanksgiving). All our signage and stocking was done the night before thankgiving with the black friday sales stickers and signs underneath so they only needed one person to come in thankgiving day at close and pull the thanksgiving signs. I made a decent wage too.