FANCY getting yourself an early Christmas present? Then apply for a festive job.
With the big day just ten weeks away, employers are gearing up to hire almost a quarter of a million seasonal staff.
And many temporary jobs can become permanent if you show bosses you are a good fit for them, so you could launch into a new career.
The number of jobs is up on last year and many roles offer perks including staff discounts on your shopping.
This week and next, we will bring you the brightest and best Christmas opportunities. On this page there are more than 70,000 jobs up for grabs.
One big festive employer is Sainsbury’s with 18,000 jobs in stores, delivery and warehouses plus a further 2,000 at Argos.
The retailer offers free food during shifts and a ten per cent discount at Sainsbury’s and Argos for eligible colleagues.
Prerana Issar, chief people officer at Sainsbury’s said: “Joining us during this busy time is a fantastic opportunity to meet great people and acquire skills that will stay with you long after the festive season.”
Apply at sainsburys.jobs/christmas.
Another big Christmas recruiter is M&S, with 11,000 jobs, up 1,000 on last year. See jobs.marksandspencer.com/christmas.
Superdrug has 1,000 sales adviser roles showing at Superdrug.jobs and Poundland is hiring 1,000 Christmas helpers at poundlandcareers.co.uk.
Freemans.com has 20 vacancies for warehouse staff sending Christmas orders out around the UK.
After working in care through the pandemic, Alison Heatley joined Freemans as a festive temp and now has a permanent role with the company.
Alison, 48, from Bradford said: “If you are thinking about applying for a Christmas job, just do it.
“You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.
“I made myself available for work and showed that I wanted to learn new roles and it definitely helped with landing a permanent job at Freemans.
“I feel that all my efforts at work have paid off and I am so glad I made the change.”
Apply at mach.co.uk
Currys has 1,000 vacancies in store plus 100 permanent 7.5 tonne delivery & install driver jobs. Apply at curryscareers.co.uk.
At Iceland, there are jobs for 750 delivery drivers and more than 1,000 retail assistants. For details see icelandcareers.co.uk.
Photo and personalised gift chain Max Spielmann, which is part of the Timpson group, is taking on 200 staff. See timpson.co.uk/about/careers-at-timpson.
The Range is taking on around ten temp staff for each store, with 2,000 needed nationwide. See therange.co.uk/careers.
BRIMMING with elf confidence? Then use your skills to spread some Christmas cheer by working in a toy shop.
The Entertainer has launched its biggest-ever festive recruitment drive with more than 1,000 jobs available nationally.
Many employees who joined The Entertainer on seasonal contracts have stayed with the business and progressed into store, field and head office and area manager roles with the retailer.
CEO Andrew Murphy said: “We need enthusiastic people with a love of toys to help sprinkle some Christmas magic in all our stores for the festive period.”
Visit thetoyshop.com.
THERE are two firms employing almost as many festive helpers as Santa – both are recruiting now.
The Royal Mail is hiring 16,000 temporary staff over the festive season.
To apply for a role, email christmas_helpline @royalmail.com, call 0345 600 1785 or go to Christmasrecruitment.royalmailgroup.com.
Amazon needs to fill 15,000 seasonal positions nationwide, with pay from a minimum of £13.50 per hour, rising to £14.50 depending on location. Apply at jobsatamazon.co.uk.
WITH the annual festive season recruitment push in full swing, what’s the best way to secure a job?
Here Anne Brewster, from Jobcentre Plus in Grimsby, shares her expert advice.
PARCEL firm Yodel needs 2,500 couriers and 600 warehouse staff. See yodelopportunities.co.uk.
SMYTHS TOYS also has 1,000 vacancies for sales assistants.
A spokeswoman said: “We pride ourselves on developing employees skills and knowledge and there are great career progression opportunities for those who want them.”
See smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/careers to find a job.
