Getting a seasonal job can be a great way to give your family an extra-nice holiday season, or even just earn some money to get you through the spring semester.
Most seasonal jobs are found in the retail industry. In fact, the average retailer increases their workforce by over 4% during the holiday season. In other words, there are plenty of opportunities out there!
To make the most of your seasonal job search, remember to apply early (you’ll need to have a job locked down by Thanksgiving), often, and to the positions that make the best use of your knowledge and experience.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of over 150 employers who are hiring seasonal workers.
Featured Seasonal Job Search Sites
Snagajob – Snagajob is a job search site focused on part time employment. Since employers who need part time work are often the same who need seasonal help, this is a good place to start to see what’s available.
Monster – Some people think that Monster only lists full-time professional positions, but there are thousands of seasonal opportunities listed here as well.
Employers Hiring for Seasonal Jobs
One of the best ways to look for seasonal employment is to go directly to the employers’ websites. Most retailers and delivery services need to hire part time seasonal workers during the holiday season, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding job openings in your area.
This isn’t a comprehensive list of employers hiring seasonal workers, but it should get you on the right track and give you some ideas of places to look.
*All links go directly to the employers’ hiring websites.*
Book Stores
Book stores can be a great place to look for seasonal employment. You might think that these types of jobs are only good for book lovers, but remember that many of the larger stores like Barnes and Noble and Books a Million also have music sections, movie sections, and even cafes that offer work to baristas and other food service professionals.
| Barnes & Noble | Books a Million | Half Price Books |
Department Stores
Department stores are notorious for hiring tons of workers for the holidays, so if you’re in the market for a seasonal job, they can be a great place to look. Typical seasonal positions include cashiers, sales representatives, stock clerks, merchandisers, and warehouse associates.
| Belk | Big Lots | Bloomingdale’s |
| Costco | Dillard’s | JC Penney |
| Kmart | Kohl’s | Macy’s |
| Marshalls | Michaels | Nordstrom |
| Ross Dress for Less | Saks Fifth Avenue | Sam’s Club |
| Sears | Stein Mart | TJ Maxx |
| Target | Walmart |
Electronics Stores
If you have a passion for electronics and want to find a seasonal job that will let you put your passion to good use, then working in an electronics store could be a good choice for you. Below is a list of some employers who hire seasonal workers.
| Apple Store | Best Buy | FYE |
| hhgregg | RadioShack |
General Retail
As hard as I tried, not all seasonal employers would fit neatly into a category. These employers need to fill a lot of different positions around the holidays. If you can find an employer who sells products that you’re really knowledgeable about, you can really increase your chances for getting a job.
Fashion Retailers
If you know a thing or two about fashion and want to get a job where you can put your knowledge to good use (and pick up a timely employee discount while you’re at it), then a seasonal job with a fashion retailer could be a great fit for you. Here is a list of some of the largest fashion retailers out there, and they all need seasonal help.
Hardware Stores
If you’re knowledgeable about tools, hardware, or any facet of home improvement, hardware stores can be a great place to look for a seasonal job. Cashier and customer service positions are available as well, so you don’t necessarily need to be a handyman to find work with these companies.
| Ace Hardware | Home Depot | Lowe’s |
| Menards |
Home Decor Stores
Home decor retailers need to ramp up their staff to prepare for the holiday season. These stores are huge, and offer all types of seasonal jobs. Cashiers, stock clerks, warehouse associates, and sales associates are always needed.
| Bed Bath & Beyond | Crate & Barrel | HomeGoods |
| Kirklands | Pier 1 Imports | Pottery Barn |
| Restoration Hardware | Williams Sonoma | World Market |
Office Supply Stores
Though office supply stores may not be the first type of retailer than pops into your mind when you think about seasonal jobs, they need a lot of help around the holidays as well. Cashiers and sales associates (particularly with a knowledge of electronics) are always needed. There are also opportunities within their printing and shipping centers.
| Cartridge World | Office Depot | OfficeMax |
| Staples |
Pet Stores
Humans aren’t the only one who receive gifts during the holidays — some of us like to shower our pets with goodies as well. Being familiar with pet care can be very helpful for some positions (like fish or reptile care), but there are also positions for warehouse associates and stock clerks who don’t necessarily need to know a lot beyond the basics of pet care.
| Petco | Petland | PetSmart |
Shipping & Delivery
Think that only retailers need extra help around the holidays? Think again. Because we send and receive so many packages, shipping and delivery companies need to hire as much holiday help as possible.
| DHL | FedEx | Mailboxes Etc |
| USPS | UPS |
Shoe Stores
Shoes make popular holiday gifts, and shoe stores need seasonal employees to keep up with the demand. Sales associates, merchandisers, and cashiers are a few of the most common types of seasonal positions with these employers.
| Adidas | ALDO | Champs Sports |
| Clarks | DSW | ECCO |
| Famous Footwear | Finish Line | Foot Action |
| Foot Locker | Journeys | Kids Foot Locker |
| Nike | Nine West | Payless |
| Rack Room | Skechers | Stride Rite |
| The Athlete’s Foot |
Sporting Goods Stores
Few types of stores are busier during the holidays than sporting goods stores, and these employers need as much help as they can get. One of the great things about seasonal jobs at sporting goods stores is that they need people who are knowledgeable about a particular type of sport. Opportunities are often department specific (so if you really know fishing, you can work in that department and don’t need to help people looking for tennis racquets). Of course, general positions like cashiers and customer service associates are available as well.
| Bass Pro Shops | Cabela’s | Dick’s Sporting Goods |
| Modell’s | Orvis | Play it Again Sports |
| REI | Sports Authority |
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