Christmas can be an incredibly profitable time of year for many people, but especially those looking to pad out their CV with temporary seasonal work. And with unemployment remaining relatively high in the UK, many retailers advertising for help over the festive period will have been inundated with applications from eager jobseekers.
According to job search engine Adzuna, there were around 6,000 Christmas posts filled in early December as businesses from a number of different sectors looked to prepare for the holiday rush. The hospitality sector advertised the most available positions with 875 vacancies, while warehouses and shops also proved to be very popular in terms of recruitment.
Once again, Royal Mail was the most prolific seasonal employer, with 35,000 vacancies filled in order to help cope with an influx of Christmas card and gift deliveries. Sainsbury’s and Amazon took second and third places on the list with 16,000 and 15,000 vacancies respectively.
However, there were also a number of less mainstream opportunities available. For example, those keen to avoid retail or hospitality jobs could become a “reindeer display handler” or “festive storyteller.” And, of course, department stores always have festive vacancies for occupants of Santa’s Grotto.
Alternatively, jobseekers looking to showcase their creative abilities and earn a little cash at the same time could turn their thoughts to the creation of Christmas decorations. Wreath makers are generally widely sought after during the Christmas period and can rake in up to £9 per hour, placing the role comfortably above the minimum wage threshold.
Even those already in work can take a little extra from the holiday season – provided, of course, they are willing to sacrifice Christmas dinner. Adzuna discovered that delivery drivers able to make deliveries on the 25th itself can earn up to £750 on a single shift, while emergency nurses can take home £770 at the end of the day.
Co-founder of Adzuna, Andrew Hunter, believes the upturn in the economy and corresponding boost to both consumer confidence and spending has encouraged larger firms to take on additional staff this year.
He says; “With widespread predictions of a record breaking Christmas for the retail industry and beyond, it is not surprising to see the big recruiters hiring ever greater numbers of temporary employees over this month.
“Jobseekers looking for extra cash this Christmas should head to the south of England, where the vast majority of the opportunities lie.”
Would you be prepared to give up time with your family on Christmas Day in order to earn a little extra money? Which of the alternative Christmas jobs advertised on Adzuma would you most like to apply for?
