IF you need cash for Christmas, now is the time to apply for a festive job.
The number of seasonal roles is up 16 per cent on last year as retailers, logistics firms, pubs, clubs and restaurants take on temporary staff for the season.
However, the number of people looking for a yuletide position is up 28 per cent on last Christmas.
To get ahead of the crowd, apply this week for the best chance of getting hired when the Christmas season begins after Halloween.
Andrew Hunter, of job-matching platform Adzuna, said: “While the broader job market may feel a little frosty, Christmas hiring is bringing some much-needed holiday magic.
And now is the perfect time to apply.”
Whether you’re out of work, want to change career or just need to boost your finances, a Christmas job can help improve your CV.
This year, employers have seen a surge in graduates applying, who are using it as a springboard to get seen by top employers.
To get you started, Sunemployment has found over 130,000 vacancies open now.
Royal Mail has 20,000 temporary positions, including 12,000 mail centre sorting roles in England, 2,000 in Scotland, 600 in Wales and 400 in Northern Ireland, plus 3,000 delivery and collection roles nationwide and 2,000 temporary HGV and MGV driver roles. Apply at careers.royalmailgroup.com.
Amazon has over 20,000 roles, including in the warehouse and customer service. See jobsatamazon.co.uk.
Sainsbury’s has 17,000 festive jobs and Argos is recruiting for 2,000 positions. Perks include free food during shifts and a ten per cent discount. Search at sainsburys.jobs/christmas.
John Lewis and Waitrose are hiring a record number of temps, with 13,700 jobs on offer. Positions are available across 35 John Lewis branches, 315 Waitrose shops and distribution centres and supply chain. See jlpjobs.com/Christmas.
Aldi has 4,500 store jobs including store assistants, managerial positions and cleaners. For information, see aldirecruitment.co.uk.
The Entertainer has 950 roles at its toy shops across the UK. See careers.thetoyshop.com.
There are 4,000 customer adviser vacancies at Boots (see boots.jobs/christmas) as well as for 1,000 customer operations assistants, plus 1,600 roles at the Beeston and Burton-on-Trent distribution centres and 350 jobs in the customer support centre. See boots.jobs/supply-chain/warehouse.
Iceland needs 1,200 retail assistants at its 950 stores, plus 650 drivers. Go to icelandcareers.co.uk.
Currys has more than 1,500 jobs, including 1,250 store roles and 200 permanent 7.5-tonne HGV drivers. See curryscareers.co.uk.
EVRI COURIER ROLE DELIVERS FLEXIBILITY
DELIVERY firm Evri has 17,000 vacancies including self-employed courier and van driver roles as part of its new Premium service.
Shifts are available across seven days.
Alexandra Polson is a self-employed courier for Evri. The busy mum joined last Christmas and decided to stay on.
The 38-year-old from Aberdeenshire, said: “I’ve grown in confidence and capability.
“The flexibility is also fantastic, as it fits perfectly around my family life, allowing me to attend my children’s school activities and appointments.
“It’s an enjoyable role, as you can combine the benefits of working outside alongside those of meeting new people.”
Gary Robinson, a director at Evri, said: “Our courier roles offer flexibility for those looking to manage work around a busy lifestyle or anyone wanting extra income for Christmas.”
Apply at evri.com/careers/be-a-courier.
JOB SPOT
FREEMANS.COM has ten jobs in warehouse picking and packing. See mach.co.uk/our-jobs or call 07889216394 to apply.
FESTIVE GIG CAN PAY OFF
AROUND one in five festive temps secure a permanent job with their employer after Xmas.
Here Matt Burney senior strategic adviser at jobs platform Indeed, reveals how to make the switch.
He said: “A temporary festive job can be more than a short-term gig, it could be the first step towards a permanent position.”
Adapt to the culture: Learn how the business communicates, get involved in workplace traditions and lend a hand where you can. Being a team player could make all the difference.
Bring full-time energy from day one: Show up on time, bring a positive attitude and take pride in your work. Employers use the busy festive period to spot reliable, proactive people they want to keep beyond December.
Know what success looks like: Take time to understand what “good” means in your role. Ask about key targets, how your work supports the wider team and think about how you can go one step further.
Make connections, build your network: Forming strong relationships with colleagues and managers, means they’re much more likely to advocate for you when permanent positions open up.
Speak up about staying: Don’t assume your manager knows you’d like to stay on. Let them know early that you’re interested in a longer-term opportunity.
JOB SPOT
SUPERDRUG is hiring 1,000 extra Xmas store assistants. Search for your closest role at superdrug.jobs.
YOU’VE GROTT THIS
GET the sack on your first day with a fun festive job.
There are hundreds of roles for Father Christmases in grottos around the UK, plus support positions for elves and grotto managers.
Find out more at greatgrottos.co.uk.
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland in London is recruiting for Magical Ice Kingdom hosts, Ice Slide assistants and Ice Rink assistants. See hydeparkwinter hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/work-for-us.
Chessington World of Adventures is hiring Christmas show captains and VIP Christmas hosts. See merlincareers.com.
And F1 racetrack Silverstone needs festive helpers for its Lap of Lights event. Apply now at careers.silverstone.co.uk.
28,500 TESCO PLACES
TESCO is taking on more festive staff than any other company this Christmas.
It is recruiting an extra 28,500 temporary colleagues across the UK to help customers during the busy seasonal period.
Key jobs on offer include early morning, day or evening shifts in its stores, serving customers and stocking shelves, or picking orders for home delivery.
Ela Golab, people services director, said: “We want people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm and a helpful service to every shopping trip.”
Emma Richardson Brown began working as a festive temp in 2023 in her local store in Gainsborough, Lincs. She applied for a permanent role in January 2024 and is now fresh food team manager.
Emma said: “I have had fantastic support from everybody in the store team.”
Search at tesco.com/careers/festive.
