how do i keep a seasonal part-time job after the holidays?
Start writing a post
Adulting

5 Important Things To Always Remember If You’re Trying To Keep Your Retail Job After The Holiday Season

Are you in it to win it?

91
5 Important Things To Always Remember If You’re Trying To Keep Your Retail Job After The Holiday Season
Photo by Josh Edgoose on Unsplash

This year for the holidays, I went out of my way to get a second job in order to be able to afford Christmas gifts and to be able to support myself financially after the holidays. This second job has better pay, more opportunities for growth, raises, and chances to gain more knowledge in lots of new areas of the store.

To me, it's important to keep this job past the holiday season because this is a completely new experience for me and there's lots of new blood. I love the atmosphere, the better pay and the newly learned tasks. It's fresh and I'm in love with it, so I'd like to be hired as a part-time employee.

In order to stay past the holidays, there are 5 things that I always keep in mind and tell myself that if I constantly follow these rules, there's no doubt that I'll be able to keep this job.

1. Always arrive on time.

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

Call me crazy, but I think this is one of the easiest parts of keeping a seasonal job. Arriving to work on time is simple. I'm a person who likes to leave 45 minutes before my shift starts since it takes me close to 25 or 30 minutes to get there. That gives me enough time to get there, find parking (it's a high volume store so I need to make sure I'm there in enough time to find decent parking), and be able to walk inside, put my stuff away, and clock in for my shift on time. If you're a person who is frequently running low on time, give yourself enough time to prepare, leave on time and have plenty of time to transport yourself there. Doing this reflects so positively on an employee and makes them look like they can be depended on.

2. Do your best without slacking.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

When given a task at work, that becomes a priority over anything else. Sometimes, I'm asked to do two different things from two different people. This won't become a problem with communication. If I have any questions regarding my job, I ask a higher authority to be sure I'm doing it correctly. That, alone, shows that I'm not trying to just barely get by. I care about my job and I'm going to show it and make it obvious that I want to stick around. By keeping a good pace, not distracting oneself, and doing what they're told, it's not difficult to have a good reputation.

3. Don't call out of work, no matter what.

Photo by Fezbot2000 on Unsplash

Calling out of work at the last minute is one of the worst inconveniences for employers. When you're scheduled, your employer is depending on you to show up for your shift on time and staying the entire time. Employers don't have time to lose and don't have the patience for those who call out at the last second and leave them stranded with not enough coverage.

At the very least, it's appropriate and courteous to find someone to be able to cover your shift for you if you decide that you can't show up for it. I'm able to give shifts away when I need to - if it's an absolute emergency - and as long as someone offers to take it, then there's no trouble. Not having a good enough excuse to call out doesn't look good. Other employers look to see how often a potential employee has called out of work with no valid excuse. Easily avoiding this will make for a problem-free atmosphere. Employers like to see that you're taking your job seriously enough to show up, even if it's at an inconvenience for you outside of work.

4. Smile!

Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

It may seem obvious but smiling at people is so important to do. It might be a conscious thing for most, but for those who don't feel obligated to smile when greeting a customer, it can make you seem like you aren't eager to help them. Smiling can completely turn around who you are to someone and make them feel like you care about what they're about to say to you.

It's insane how much of a difference a smile can make.

5. Stay off of your phone in front of customers.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

This may also seem silly and obvious too, but be sure that your cell phone is away and out of sight when assisting someone. This makes it seem like you're not distracted. When you're distracted by a cell phone, someone else trying to have a side conversation with you, or anything else, it puts a customer into an awkward position. If this were me, I wouldn't know how to react except to ask for the employee to please pay attention to me because I'm right in front of them. It's common courtesy.

These are just a few things that I keep in mind when I think about my seasonal retail job. I really do want to stay on past the holidays, so with these strategies, there's a strong chance that I'll have a good reputation.

If you care about your job, show it. It's not difficult to show that you want a job. Once you have it, you're in. Just be sure that you're dependable and ready for a challenge.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51964
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33385
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956239
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181160
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments