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

[eliza61]

I have worked both Wal-mart and Macys during the holidays, let me sum up the experience this way.
Those jobs made me a better student, I knew no way in hell did I ever want to be stuck working retail all my life.
I don't step inside Wally world because of how the treated employees. Its the only place where I say I'd street walk and sell my soul to the devil before going back.
horrible!! Don't do it.

 

[traces7]

Thanks again everyone! I don't think I'll try the retail thing for Christmas, don't think I could swing a full-time and part-time job. Really would like some extra money though!! It's just something I've been thinking of a lot the last year or so. Haven't had a raise at my full-time job in 5 years, it's getting kind of tough. Would like to really find a different full-time job, but no luck there so far either!

 

[POOHsie]

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!!

Overnight stocking is physically tough work. The big pallets you have to work with might be in the wrong place out back, and you have to move others out of the way. So you lose time but still have to accomplish what's on your list. Those pallets are very heavy and you can get hurt, especially when trying to make up time. You're always dealing with cartons which are heavy to lift and move around. My DH did this work one year, and it exhausted him. This is a job to take if you don't already have a day job.

I worked part time at a grocery store 6-10pm, after a full-time day job. It might have been good, except it was in the deli dept. All those slicers, meat cases, rotisserie chicken oven, etc. had to be cleaned every night. Then the floor had to be sanitized. That was a job I would never, ever do again. Perhaps a cashier job would be OK, though.

 

[ceecee]

I worked at a jewerly store chain in the mall during my last year of college for the holidays and it was a lot of fun. I didn't get commission only the ft regulars did. I also worked for Hickory Farms in the mall one Christmas during college, both of these had great customers just ready to buy and get on their way. They gave us a discount too at that one so everyone on my list got cheese and sausage!

 

[ceemys]

I had a part time job for 19 years. Three of them. Penny's (10 years), Disney store (1 year) and Office Depot (8 years). My favorite was Office Depot. I Worked BF but it really wasn't bad.

 

[LilyWDW]

I loved the hustle and bustle of working the holiday season in retail.

I didn't love the hours, lack of time off, and a number of the customers.

If I had any say in it, I would never do it again.

 

[Lemess]

I know this won't help you much this year but maybe next year. My husband got a second part-time job because we wanted some extra money for our up coming cruise. He found one thru Spirit Halloween. He loves it. He has a normal 9-5 job and works at Spirit nights and weekends. The best part of the job is that for him the job is over the middle of November. He will not have to work any holidays or Black Friday. The extra money has come in so handy for our trip and the up-coming holidays.

 

[Colleen27]

Add me to those that wouldn't do it. I'd find every corner to cut in the budget first, because working retail around the holidays is to have someone else "own" your every moment. Can't work Tuesdays? Too bad, you're scheduled anyway. Made plans for Monday because you weren't on the schedule? Someone called in, so you'd better cancel and get your butt to work. I rather enjoyed retail work aside from the holiday rush when even good managers turned into "that boss" that expects you to be at his/her beck and call at all times.

 

[danygirl]

Some part time jobs we have done that I like better than retail for cash -

DD worked at one of those haunted Halloween places. October isn't so hectic and she liked it

DH referees basketball. Little kids pays 14 per game. Big kids pay more - around 30 per hour. There was a former pro player in his training class. Don't want to ref? Two of my kids worked as scorekeepers for 9 per game and way less pressure.

Dog walking- over the past few years we have all taken turns walking the neighbors dog for. 8 per walk. That covers gas money for the walker. One dog for 20 min a day

I substitute teach on my day off

I also keep my eyes posted for market research studies

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

I see you have decided to not go retail, but I will throw in my 2 cents in case someone else is considering it.

I have applied at Target several times over the years (my favorite store!) but they won't hire me due to my schedule limitations.

I worked at Kohl's as a temporary holiday stocker/sign putter upper person years ago. Even though it was a 3rd shift job they still expected us to work during the day on Christmas Eve. I did enjoy that discount though and bought many gifts from there lol.

I once applied for a job and was hired at Walmart. I never worked a single hour because despite the fact I reminded them over and over that I was not available until after 4 pm they kept scheduling me during the day.

If I needed some extra money for the holidays I wouldn't have a problem working retail, not that I enjoy it. Thankfully my current jobs are flexible and allow me to pick up extra hours if I want to.

 

[JillianMarie]

I must've just had the best managers in the world because I never had any real problems with time of day scheduling. They always tried to be as respectful as possible of people's schedules.

Whoever said they own you - they kind of do. You're not hired for 'holiday'. I mean, you are, but you're hired to work Black Friday and the two weeks before Christmas. That's the gig. It's kind of silly to think that you're going to sign up to work for 2 months and then not work the busiest shopping days. It's definitely not for everyone, but I like it. I mean, even on Black Friday, you get to work at 5 and you're home by 1 and have the whole day to veg out and left overs.

It's nothing I'd want to do full time, but I just didn't want anyone else who's thinking about it to hear the horror stories and think that's the whole story. I don't need to do it every year, but I like going back every couple of years just to keep from getting too rusty.

 

[barbmouse]

I've never done it but I think it would be a nice change. Retail is totally diff from my "real" job. I always thought that Pier One or Bath and Body would be fun retail places to work during holidays!!

 

[LilyWDW]

I've never done it but I think it would be a nice change. Retail is totally diff from my "real" job. I always thought that Pier One or Bath and Body would be fun retail places to work during holidays!!

Pier One is fun during the holidays especially if you have an awesome manager (or you ARE the awesome manager ). However, I would have to say that we had the largest percentage of pain in the butt customers then ANY store I have worked at during the holidays... and I have been doing retail since I was 15 and I am 31 now. So many that thought you were their personal decorator or assistant and treated you like garbage.

Also, if you work Pier One during Christmas you WILL be finding glitter in your car come June. That stuff gets everywhere!