With COVID-19 putting thousands on furlough this summer and a vast number of businesses forced to close their doors for good, there are a frightening number of people in Britain without a job this winter.
Fortunately, it is around this time of year when many businesses hire temporary seasonal staff to help with the busy Christmas period.
Supermarkets, high street stores, local craftspeople and even delivery companies are all looking to increase their workforce and, for some, there could even be a permanent role at the end of it.
So, no matter how long you have been out of work, or how much experience you have under your built, Christmas 2020 could be the time when your unemployment is no more.
If you know of any positions not featured in this list, let us know in the comments below, or by emailing ellie.kendall@reachplc.com.
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1. Royal Mail
Royal Mail has announced that around 33,000 temporary jobs will be available over the Christmas period this year.
That's 10,000 more than its usual seasonal average, the postal service say.
They typically employ between 15,000 and 23,000 extra staff between October and January to help sort the additional Christmas volumes of parcels, cards and letters.
Royal Mail says that such a high number of workers is needed this year because of elevated parcel volumes due to an increase in online shopping caused by the coronavirus crisis.
More than 13,000 mail centre sorting posts are available in England, around 1,400 posts in Scotland, 700 posts in Wales and 500 posts in Northern Ireland.
The seasonal workers will support over 115,000 permanent postmen and women who sort and deliver the mail all year round.
Additional workers will also be required for Royal Mail’s new Covid-19 testing kit collection team.
Anyone who wants to apply can do so via the Royal Mail website.
Royal Mail has been recruiting festive temporary workers since the Second World War.
Royal Mail chief HR officer Sally Ashford said: “During these unprecedented times we believe it is critical that Royal Mail continues to deliver.
“We want to do our best to deliver Christmas for our customers and support the effort on the pandemic.
“This helps the whole country to celebrate and stay safe during these difficult times.”
2. Tesco
Ahead of Christmas, Tesco is recruiting more than 11,000 temporary jobs to help in stores across the UK at the busiest time of the year.
Every year, the supermarket will recruit temporary positions in order to help customers during the busy Christmas period.
These UK-wide roles, in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores, will include picking for online deliveries and store replenishment, supporting existing store colleagues.
Tesco People Director Rachel Bushby said: "Once the seasonal period comes to an end, Christmas colleagues will be encouraged to apply for any permanent roles available in their stores."
Applications for all job positions are now open. Temp jobs are a life-saver for many each and every Christmas, and Tesco has kick-started the recruitment drive already.
Anyone interested should apply here.
Other supermarket chains, including Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Aldi , Lidl and ASDA are all looking for temporary Christmas staff too.
3. Boots
Every year Boots advertises a number of Christmas vacancies.
Customer Advisor roles include serving customers on the shop floor, at tills, preparing online orders and ensuring products are well stocked.
The official Christmas section of their jobs pages, states: "As a Customer Advisor you are key to helping our stores run smoothly, offering amazing customer service and working part of a team to deliver a Christmas to be proud of.
"Getting a temporary Christmas job at Boots can give you a range of vital skills and experiences over the festive period.
- Join a fast-paced environment
- Get paid weekly
- Part-time, full-time and weekend positions available
- Help deliver Christmas in the UK’s leading Pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer
"In the lead up to Christmas we’ll start looking for full-time, part-time and weekend Christmas Customer Advisors to help in our stores across the country, in the meantime why not take a look at the other store roles we have available or register for Christmas Job Alerts so you are the first to hear when our vacancies go live.
"Your temporary position could even lead to starting a permanent position with us depending on the opportunities available."
Browse latest jobs with Boots, here.
4. GAME
As with most shops across the UK, GAME has a fair few stores in the region and hires Christmas staff to help with the busy festive period.
According to the official job description, as a Sales Assistant here, you'll be:
- Delivering an epic high standard of excellent customer service at all times
- Building relationships with the store's local gaming community to ensure loyalty and return custom
- Giving expert gaming knowledge to our customers and ensuring we meet the candidates expectations at all times - matching products to their needs
- Attaching products to maximise transactional value - link selling & up selling
- Keeping up to date with the latest gaming news and using this knowledge to make the sale
- Working with the other Sales Assistant's within the business to deliver an energetic and welcoming in store atmosphere
To read the full job description and apply, click here.
5. H. Samuel
Jewellery retailer, H. Samuel, is hiring Christmas Sales Associates who: "have a passion for putting the customer first and creating memorable customer experiences.
This is an opportunity to gain fantastic retail experience, learning quickly about our products and gaining some real jewellery expertise that you can share with customers.
"During Christmas, lots of customers come to our stores simply to browse – you’ll answer their questions, showcase our products and use your sales skills to help the team meet targets.
"While you may not specifically have jewellery experience, you will certainly have an interest in jewellery products and brands.
"A positive, ‘can-do’ attitude is essential, with a natural ability for striking up a conversation with a diverse range of customers."
In return, the high street name is offering: "a competitive salary and benefits, including sales incentives and a staff discount.
"The nature of our business also means you can sometimes work additional hours at times like peak trading periods, Bank Holidays and weekends.
"What is also really amazing about Signet are the career development opportunities.
"If you’ve got potential, we’ll help you fulfil it.
"We’ve got the training and development programmes in place to really help you make the most of your talent!
"Be part of something special!"
To apply, click here.
6. Next
If you get the role of Christmas Support Team Member at Next, not only will you get between three to 12 weeks of paid work and the perks that come with working for the company (discount etc) but you will also get the first pick of that infamous sale stock.
According to the job advert, as a Christmas Support Team Member, you'll:
- "Work on the sales floor, in the stockroom, or both
- "Offer friendly service to all of our customers
- "Help get stock to the sales floor beautifully presented and ready to be snapped up by our customers
- "Keep the sales floors looking fantastic and easy to shop from
"As part of our team, you will
- "follow the new working guidelines within our stores
- "Friendly, calm and efficient – always looking for ways you can help
- "Excited about the challenge of a varied and fast-paced job
- "Flexible, supportive and always ready to go the extra mile"
Click here to apply for your local vacancy.
7. The Entertainer
Being part of the Christmas Crew at The Entertainer, means that you will work around 12 hours per week for a salary of up to £8.72 per hour and receive a 20% toy discount.
The official job application states: "If successful, you will be offered a contract until late December and we will pay you fortnightly directly into your UK bank account.
"Most stores will offer a mixture of daytime and evening shifts depending on location and trading hours.
"You will need to be flexible to work extra hours and shifts when we need you too, as we extend our trading day and operate extra out of hour’s shifts as Christmas approaches.
"Day Crew: You will be working primarily on the shop floor approaching and assisting customers, demonstrating toys, helping on the till points and making sure your store remains well presented. You will need great customer service skills and the 'retail buzz'.
"Evening Crew: Your primary role will be to assist in refilling the shop sections and ensuring all store deliveries are completed as quickly and accurately as possible ready for the next day's trade. This is likely to involve early or late shifts out of normal trading hours."
To read the job description in full, and apply for this role, click here.
8. Dartmoor Christmas Trees
Dartmoor Christmas Trees have a range of festive jobs on offer, including weekend festive sales assistants and even a Christmas wreath maker.
View the full jobs list and apply here.
9. The Range
The Range is currently recruiting part-time Retail Assistants to help during the busiest time of year for the company - Christmas.
The official job description states: "To be successful in this role you will love working in a fast-paced retail environment and must be willing to give the very best customer service experience to our customers.
"The emphasis will be on service. This is not just a standing filling shelves type of job. If you have the personality that our customers will appreciate, and if you enjoy an environment where you can really engage with the customer, then this could be the role for you.
"Your day will be varied, from delivering service with a smile at the till to engaging with customers to help them find their ideal products.
"You will need to have to have a flexible approach as there will be times when you will be supporting other areas of the Store to meet the business needs.
"Previous retail experience is NOT essential. We have the all the necessary support and training to get you up to speed and delivering excellent service."
Click here to find out more and apply.
10. Poundland
Poundland are hiring Christmas Temp positions at stores across the region.
Roles will begin soon and last right up until the end of December and the company says it is looking for people who are "passionate about customer service" to apply.
The official job description outlines a typical day in the life of a Sales Assistant, writing:
"As a Sales Assistant you will:
- Ensure excellent customer service is provided in every interaction with a customer ensuring you are friendly, welcoming and helpful.
- Respond efficiently to till queues to ensure customer satisfaction at all times.
- Process till transactions securely, quickly and accurately.
- Deliver effective product availability, replenish stock as directed.
- Work as part of the store team to create and maintain a fun and friendly environment.
- Live the company values focussing on taking individual responsibility working towards team delivery.
- Deliver accurate cash handling and till operational procedures.
- Deliver store changes/promotions in a timely and accurate way."
Apply now by clicking here.
11. The Works
The Works is hiring Seasonal Sales Assistants across Devon and Cornwall, with the opportunity for overtime closer to the Christmas period.
The successful candidates will receive 25% staff discount to use in store.
Find your local retailer and apply here.
12. Card Factory
Card Factory, which is usually full of Christmas cards and decorations, is hiring Seasonal Sales Assistants too.
There are various contract hours available, with an expected finish date of no later than January 3, 2021, giving you plenty of time to earn some cash during the busy festive period.
What's more, retail experience is not necessary and you'll enjoy a 15% staff discount to use in store.
Find your role here.
13. Delivery Drivers
If you're not one for the life of retail and would rather head out on the open road, there are a vast number of delivery driver roles across Devon and Cornwall, each boasting their own rewards, perks and contract hours.
Search your favourite jobsite, or simply type "delivery driver jobs in Devon and Cornwall" into Google and see what takes your fancy.
