Christmas Temp Staff

cheerio

This is probably a bit early but does anyone know when the shops start advertising for christmas temps? Is there anyone who has done this type of work before who could tell me a bit about it? Generally how many weeks work would you get and when does it start?

daisy123

When you start and finish will depend on the store really. Usually start end of November, although some wait til closer to Christmas. Your work would usally end when the sales end/start to quieten down, about 3 weeks into January.

Its tough hours usually, with temps taking the crappy hours above permanents, christmas eve, first day of the sale bright and early, new year's eve etc.

It's a nice atmosphere though most of the time, although the constant xmas songs may wreck your head!!!

Also don't forget to do your OWN christmas shopping, really easy to put off whilst working...

Corruptedmorals

Dunnes start middle of October, so do River Island. Usually contracts end middle of January. Expect to be left on tills, which as Christmas is a nightmare.

pow wow

October-ish. Depending on staff turnover they make take you on then until the period after New Year. Sometimes it's for a fixed period say Dec. 10 - Jan 10 or something similar. I worked at TK Maxx last xmas and people were always leaving so the xmas temps actually came in in October and some of them stayed.

happy_feet

does anyone know of places that are hiring? i cant seem to find many online!

or am i too late?!?!

She Devil

Your best bit is to actually physically walk into these places with your CV and ask to see the manager!! It would mean you would be streets ahead of the others!!! Dont wait for them to come to you!

Dave!

Can't remember when they start recruiting, but keep an eye out for ads for Smyths toy store. They take out 3-5 times their usual staff in the run-up to Christmas. It gets busy as fook, you start to hate kids (if you don't already), the shifts are long and depressing, and there is little flexibility in terms of shift switching/time off because the managers don't wanna be bothering with that sh*t around Christmas. You'll have to be available to work every weekend basically. Oh and the pay is sh*t!!!

But if you're in need of a job, it's easy enough to get in there

happy_feet

yehh grand ill give smyths a go! im just looking to work over christmas for a while so im not stone broke doing all my shopping! thanks for the help

the groutch

most places have already filled up all the christmas vacancies

happy_feet

yehh i probably did leave it a bit too late....

the groutch

it's still worth a try tho to see can you get something

the general practice is to give 3 month contracts, running from now til the end of january, and then keep on a few of them on a permenent basis

Elessar

I've been out looking for part time work the past few weeks handing CVs and talking to managers all over the place. I've had no luck whatsoever so far, and I have plenty of retail experience. They're all either taken or there are so many applications they never see mine. It's pretty depressing.

eth0_

Did you try M&S? They usually take on loads of extra staff, same with Argos.

Karmaa

Most places have their staff for the Christmas now but no harm to still ring around a few places.....

AARRRGH

Bookshops need extra Christmas staff. Give them a ring and ask them who you need to send your CV to.

Serafijn

Send a good cover letter along with your CV that will set you apart from the other applications.

Think about what qualities they want in their temps - hardworking, able to learn quickly and act on your own initiative etc. Oh and tell them you are happy to do the hours nobody else wants like xmas eve, stephens day etc. Work these things in and you might have more luck

lyndseymaria

Anyo e know if argos are taking on staff in tallaght area

shar01

I know it's an old thread but Golden Discs in Dun Laoghaire & Dundrum are looking for staff for Christmas.