Congratulations! You’ve secured a temporary Christmas job, which should help you bring in some much needed cash for the festive season.
Whilst you plan what to buy your nearest and dearest – and what you can spend some of the money on for yourself – you should also consider the best way to turn this temporary role into a more permanent one.
Careers websites like www.jobstoday.co.uk are really useful when it comes to searching for a new job but if you can save yourself the trouble in the New Year then that’s even better!
Remember that at this time of year many people will be in the same situation as companies take on extra staff to meet the demand throughout the festive season. According to a recent Guardian article, Royal Mail alone intends to recruit 19,000 people throughout Britain.
So how do you stand out amongst the crowd of temporary workers and turn your Christmas job into a permanent position? Well, it’s simple enough if you follow these rules:
- Arrive early
Always aim to get to work at least 15 minutes early, so you have time to store your bag, prepare yourself and get out on to the shop floor or at your designated place on time.
- Dress correctly
If you have a uniform always make sure it is clean, ironed and correct. You want to act as the face of the company when dealing with customers and your employer will notice if you look scruffy. If the company prohibits piercings, tattoos or unusual coloured hair try your best to refrain from or hide these – remember not everyone has embraced the 21st Century.
- Do more
Always go above and beyond what is expected of you and never hand a task over to someone else unless you physically cannot complete it or don’t have the authority. If a customer asks if you have something in stock, willingly check for them. If your manager asks you to cover someone’s work if they are off sick try your best to do so.
- Be flexible
If you are asked to do an extra couple of hours, swap shifts or cover for someone at the last minute, always try your best to be accommodating, it will be noted and remembered by your employer.
- Don’t complain
You will probably be expected to work on Christmas Eve, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, or on Boxing Day when you want to spend time with your family. Don’t complain, smile and get on with it. It’s probably in your contract that you are expected to work on holidays so moaning won’t do anything but put you in your manager’s bad books.
- Take interest
Ask questions about the company and take interest in changes being brought in. An inquisitive and interested employee is something any company will want to keep on a permanent basis.
- Make friends
If you make friends and get on well with the permanent employees already working at the company, it will be noticed. Managers will look for those people who get on well with staff and consider them over those temp workers who don’t bother to speak to people.
- Take control
As the end of your contract nears plan to speak to your manager, who you should be on very good terms with by this point, about the likelihood of you being kept on. Sometimes they can’t make that decision but will have an idea of who has more of a chance. If the news isn’t positive then start looking elsewhere so you have something lined up.
These rules might seem pretty basic, but in the Christmas rush and with the stress of dealing with so much in such a short time you can easily forget to stay positive and build up those important relationships. Power through and a permanent contract could be waiting at the end for you to sign!