As you may have noticed, the day after Halloween, shopping malls and other retail locations start decorating for the holidays. Most retailers look for extra employees around the holidays, especially to help with the Black Friday rush. While these jobs with retailers may not be long-term, they can definitely help you pay for the extra expenses around the holiday season. As an added bonus, if you do a good job, you might land a year-round gig!

Even with the increased number of positions available in November and December, job hunters outnumber the open positions. Here are five tips that can help you land the job you want:

• Tip #1: Apply early.

Start applying for holiday positions immediately. Stores like to have time to train new employees, so while your schedule might be light until after Thanksgiving, you’re not as likely to find open positions if you wait much longer to apply.

• Tip #2: Apply in person.

Many stores advertise open positions online and offer online applications for you to fill out. While you do have to follow a company’s protocols, it is important to meet the managers in person if at all possible. Fill out a paper application if you can, but if not, at least shake their hands in person, noting that you’ve filled out an application and are very interested in a temporary holiday position. Try to go to the store during the middle of the day, when they won’t be as busy, so you aren’t taking the manager away from his or her job.

• Tip #3: Be a consumer of the store.
  

Stores like to know that you understand their products and use them yourself. You might not have much disposable income right now, but at least spend some time browsing. Knowing the products and the general “vibe” of the story can help you fit in with the current staff.

• Tip #4: Be available.
  

Unfortunately, as the newest member of the staff (and in a temporary position), you aren’t going to get to make your own schedule. The more open you are to working long hours and strange shifts, the more likely you’ll be hired. If the manager who creates your schedule has to work around your schedule, you won’t be as valuable of an employee.

• Tip #5: Apply at multiple locations.

You might most want to work at your favorite clothing store or that electronics change you love, but you’ll have a better chance at finding a job for the holidays if you apply for as many open positions as possible. Fill out lots of applications and above all, make sure that you don’t miss the call backs you get – often, employers won’t leave a message. They’ll simply move on to the next applicant.

To help pay the bills in college, I worked at a local grocery store. Originally, I thought I’d hate it, but working in retail (essentially, that’s what a grocery store is) isn’t as bad as you might think. In fact, I actually grew to enjoy my shifts as time went on. Grocery stores and other retail locations are starting to rebound as the economy begins to strengthen again, so this is an option you might want to consider if you’re looking for a job or even want to turn a retail job into a career. Here are three things you probably didn’t know about working in a grocery store that could help you decide whether or not this is a good job option for you:

1. Getting the good shifts is all about making your manager look good.

When I worked at the grocery store, I always was super friendly to customers, took extra shifts when people called in sick, and clean up as much as possible so things were ready for the next person. In other words, my manager never has to worry about me – customers and coworkers never had a complaint. Because of that, I pretty much got first pick when my manager made the schedule every week, and when I needed time off, it was never a problem.

2. Some jobs pay better than others.

While most grocery store jobs pay minimum wage, there are some that pay more. If you work in the deli, the meat/seafood department, or customer service, your salary will typically be higher to start, and you’re get bigger scheduled pay raises. If you work overnight stocking shelves, you can also make more money at some grocery stores.

3. Working when it is busy is actually an advantage.

You may initially think that you want to work shifts that aren’t very busy, but if you work in a retail position, this is actually the worst option. You want to work the busiest schedules possible. Time flies when the after-work rush hits the store or on busy days, such as holidays. When it’s slow, your shift will drag on forever.

Have you worked in a grocery store? If so, share you experiences with our readers by leaving a comment!

In an job market where not many industries are growing as fast as the number of people in the job market, retail seems like an attractive option for many people. As the economy begins to get back on track, more people are spending money in the retail sector, so workers are readily needed. However, as The Associated Press recently reported, jobs in retail don’t necessarily always translate into lucrative careers. According to their article:

“As the economic recovery gains steam, the retail industry is expected to be one of the strongest for job growth this decade. But the quality of jobs selling clothes, computers and other goods has declined in recent years to the point where few can be classified as careers.

Erratic part-time hours often make a second job impossible and complicate the work-life juggle. Pay has shrunk. And the recession created hordes of overqualified job seekers, leaving existing staff with little power to demand better conditions.”

This doesn’t mean that working in retail can’t become a career eventually – it is just harder than it used to be. You’re an expendable employee in steep competition for jobs and there are few opportunities for advancement. If you’re motivated, though, you can turn a retail job into a career. Here are some tips you can use to make that happen:

• Volunteer for extra shifts and responsibilities whenever possible. Showing initiative tells your managers that you’re the kind of person who is qualified for a promotion.
• Get an advanced degree. Believe it or not, to turn retail into a high-paying career, you need a degree. Consider a field like business, loss prevention, or marketing.
• Be a pleasure to work with. Many retail workers hate their jobs. If all you do while at work is complain to your co-workers, it doesn’t matter how efficient or responsible you are – no one will want to work with you. The most positive employees are the ones that get the promotions.
• Learn about working in many departments. If you have aspirations to work in management someday, you’ll have to know how all the different departments operate.
• Make your goals known. Talk to your manager about your goals to advance in your career. That way, when an advanced position comes open, they’ll think of you.

Even though retail jobs are beginning to become more plentiful, they’re still competitive. Make sure you have great references, dress professionally for your interview, and display a great work ethic so you get the job.

Today, thousands of shoppers are traveling to their favorite stores to take advantage of Black Friday sales.

If you’re out of work, you may see signs in several of these locations announcing that they need holiday help. Don’t discount retail positions. While there are definite downsides to this job, there are amazing perks as well. Here are five things you didn’t know about working in retail that might change your mind about these types of jobs:

1. You may be able to “borrow” products.

You probably already know that many stores offer discounts to their employees, but did you know that you could take home items on a temporary basis for free at some stores? For example, at video game retailer GameStop, employees are allowed to borrow new releases for the night so they’re able to give customers advice when purchasing games.

2. You can earn a lot more than minimum wage.

While most retail locations pay their employees minimum wage (or just slightly higher) to start, you could actually earn a lot more if you choose a job where you work on commission. This is especially true around the holidays and for big-ticket items, like jewelry or appliances. If you’re awesome at sales, earning commission could double or even triple your base salary.

3. You get the chance to buy hot items first.

Sometimes, there are items that are highly sought after and hard to find. When your store gets a shipment – say, of the hottest kids’ toy for Christmas – not only will you know when you’ll have these items, but you can pick one up before your shift starts, before the store even opens to the public. No more crazy crowds!

4. You have a flexible schedule.

Make friends with the person who does the scheduling, and you’ve got it made. Most retail locations have a schedule that changes slightly from week to week, so it’s easy to get a day off or even switch shifts with another employee. You aren’t pigeon-holed into the same set schedule every single week.

5. It’s a great way to meet people.

If you’re new to an area, working retail is a great way to meet new people. Of course, you have to keep in mind that you’ll deal with a lot of jerks in retail, but you could meet some cool people as well, especially if you work in a retail situation where you sell something relating to one of your hobbies (for example, the sporting section at Sears or the music section at Walmart).

Today, Walmart announced plans to expand in the Washington, D.C. area, which will not only provide access to affordable, healthy food options for residents, but which could also help combat the nearly 10% unemployment rate in our nation’s capital.

They’re starting with a two-year plan for stores in four different areas, which will lead to 400 temporary construction jobs, but more importantly, if you’re trying to find a retail job, 1200 new positions will open at these Walmart locations.

The first of the new stores will be located in wars 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the city, where Walmart currently only employs around 600 people. City residents often travel to surrounding states to shop at Walmart for affordable groceries, according to reports. According to Walmart’s announcement, “Positions will include pharmacists, human resource managers, customer service associates, cashiers and sales associates.  These jobs will offer a competitive wage, affordable benefits and the chance to build a career. Walmart’s average hourly wage in the Washington D.C. region is $12.49/hour.”

The locations are set to open in 2012, but hiring will start much sooner. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re interested in a new D.C. Walmart job:

• Show up to the interview on time and neatly dressed, with a completed application. If you’re late to the hiring company or sloppy and unprepared, they may assume that you’ll be like that as an employee as well.
• Be prepared to talk about your past jobs and highlight interactions you’ve had with customers. Companies like Walmart want to know that the people they hire will be able to create an awesome customer experience.
• Ask three to five people (past managers, co-workers, teachers, etc.) to serve as your references. On the day of the interview, make sure you have their contact information written down in case you’re asked to submit it.
• Do a little research on Walmart before you apply. Sure, you may know about them from a shopper perspective, but look up online some information about their company history, corporate philosophy, and mission.

Are you in the market for a part-time job for the upcoming holiday season? Well, you’re in luck.

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, between half a million and 600,000 part-time, temporary workers will be hired for this years holiday season. In order to make sure you’re among those hired, follow these four tips:

:: Be open and flexible. If you want to maximize your attractiveness to potential employers, be open to a variety of shifts and schedules. Holiday staff are needed to fill in on top of the regular shifts of full-time employees. That means you may be needed to work evenings one week and weekends the next. 9-5 jobs from Monday through Friday are much rarer in the holiday work world. If there are times that you are absolutely unable to work, but clear and upfront about those from the beginning.

:: Have realistic expectations. Most holiday seasonal work is in retail or food service establishments and most of these jobs pay minimum wage or a little bit more. Plus, the majority of employers are looking for part-time temporary workers, not full-time, so the earning potential is limited. That said, you can always double up and work for more than one place. Just make sure you can work out the scheduling to everyone’s betterment.

:: Think outside the box. Just because most seasonal work around the winters holidays is at the mall doesn’t mean that all of it is. If you would rather avoid retail, you might want to consider working from home. Yes, indeed, there are work from home jobs for the holiday season. One of the most common is customer service call agents. Internet and phone-based orders, as well as complaints and questions, increase significantly during the holiday season. According to Good Morning America, more than 10,000 agents will be hired for the holiday season to handle question, process orders and other duties.

:: Start looking now. The “season” may not start until December, but most employers are well into the planning phase of their holiday roll-out. Many start their advertising and interview process now, and by Thanksgiving, they have already hired and trained all their temporary staffers. In other words, start now or you will miss the boat!

For more hints and tips on finding a job during the holidays and beyond, check out this post with 5 tips for job hunting during the holiday season.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the October unemployment numbers and, unfortunately, they are worse than expected.

The unemployment rate rose .4% over last month to 10.2% — the highest it’s been in 26 years. Economists had predicted the rate would hit 9.9%.

Also in October, 190,000 jobs were lost, putting the nation’s total number of out of work people at 15.7 million. Of these, one-third or 5.6 million have been out of work for more than six months. The greatest losses were seen in the construction, manufacturing and retail sectors. 40,000 retail jobs were cut — which isn’t exactly good news for those in search of seasonal retail jobs.

While the October job losses are still high by historical standards, they do reflect some improvement since the worst of the recession, which saw 741,000 layoffs last January. Economists are now predicting that the job market will begin to see some modest gains (i.e. a net positive number of jobs added to the economy) by the 2nd quarter of 2010.

Until then, Congress and the White House are working to extend benefits to help the long-term unemployed. President Obama will sign a bill today that extends unemployment to 20 weeks.

According to the job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., the annual holiday hiring outlook “might improve slightly over last year, but only because 2008 saw the lowest seasonal employment growth in nearly 20 years.”

Retail spending has gone up slightly over the past three months, which may signal to retailers that consumers will spend more freely this holiday season. If the sale growth trend continues into the holiday season, it “could boost seasonal hiring above last year’s meager activity,” said John Challenger, chief executive of the placement firm.

Challenger warned, however, that “the hiring surge may come later than normal this year, as many retailers wait to see how holiday sales are going before adding extra workers.” Given that the economic picture is still far from rosy, most consumers are still operating under a reduced discretionary spending budget. And retailers don’t want to risk “eating into slim profits with extra workers.”

Bottom line? The number of retail seasonal jobs will be up this year over last — but star below the pre-recession figures. If you are in the market for a seasonal job, here are a few tips:

• Apply early (no later than Halloween)
• Look to “big box” stores like Target and Walmart
• Be willing to consider “behind-the-scenes” jobs such as stocking positions in the warehouse vs. sales clerk positions
• Be flexible with work hours — most stock positions, for example, work overnight
• Network with friends who work in retail — they may be able to give you the heads up before their store starts its official hiring phase

Are you currently looking for a job? Maybe you can’t find a full-time job in your field.

Maybe you are a college student need a seasonal job during the summer or over winter break. Have you considered working in retail?

Retail jobs are not the most glamorous, nor do they pay top dollars. And the hours aren’t the greatest either (think: nights and weekends). The advantages of a retail job, however, are that they are readily available — yes, even in this economy. And with night or weekend shifts, you will still have plenty of time to go on interviews and send off resumes for your dream job.

Here’s a look at some of the more common retail positions:

Warehouse workers
Warehouse worker jobs are physically demanding, involving lifting heavy boxes and standing for long periods of time. Warehouse workers stock, move and ship retail goods to satellite stores, other warehouses and direct to customers. Most positions do not require advanced degrees; more important are past experience and a positive attitude.

Retail buyers
Buyers make sure that their retail store is well-stocked and they identify new products for the store to sell. Many buyers travel extensively seeking out the latest and greatest items. Overtime is common, on top of a 40-hour work week, especially when shipments arrive or during buying trips. A college degree, along with on-the-job training, is required for most buyer positions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average buyer earned a salary of $72,000 in 2004. If you love to shop, this just might be a dream job for you!

Retail Clerks
Clerks and cashiers are the bane of the retail world. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were over 4.5 million retail sales positions in 2006. From teenagers to retirees, clerk positions can be a good fit for workers of nearly any age – and they don’t require a lot of education or training. The pay scale of a retail clerk/cashier is typically in the minimum wage range, although promotions are not uncommon. Most retail clerks work assigned weekly shifts, including night and weekend hours, rather than a typical 9-5 workweek.

Are you are interested in finding a job in retail? Whether as a clerk, buyer or warehouse worker — or perhaps a position in management or corporate relations is more your speed — be sure to check out JobMonkey’s Guide to Retail Jobs.

With many of the big companies announcing even more layoffs, here is a piece of good news: Fortune Magazine and CNN Money say there are dozens of Fortune 100 companies hiring people for new retail positions. Some places to look for retail employment opportunities in this bad economy include:

Walmart – The Arkansas-based company, which is number 2 on the Fortune 100 list, needs to hire thousands of store managers, human resource managers, pharmacists, customer service associates and cashiers.

Lowes – #47 on the Fortune 100 list, this North Carolina company is looking to hire 7,900 new employees, from seasonal employees to team members in regional distribution centers

Sears – The mega-retailer — #49 on the Fortune 100 — plans to hire 500 new people, including associates, store managers and in-home technicians.

Supervalu – The Minnesota-based hardware company has 180 new positions available, including openings in retail stores and supply chain services.

To learn more about working for retailers, be sure to read up on retail jobs at the JobMonkey. And if retail is not your thing, the list also includes numerous opportunities in insurance sales, technology development, and other fields.