(NAPSA)—Itching for a seasonal gig to make some extra cash this holiday season? Or maybe you're seeking a part-timejob that could eventually turn into a fulltime position. Either way, landing a job in the retail sector during the holidays could be the answer. Retail job postings are up 30 \ 4, sor. Fa percent on Monster overlast year, with increases in postings for all experience levels—from high school students to management and executives. Furthermore, the Monster Employment Index, an indicator of employer demand for employees, reported that the retail index rose from 91 in October 2003 to 123 in September 2004. The Index counts job posting information from more than 1,500 Websites including Monster and is a snapshot of employer online recruitmentactivity nationwide. Additionally, total holiday retail sales are expected to increase 4.5 percent over last holiday, according to the National Retail Federation, suggesting there will be plenty of seasonal work opportunities. But, there’s a crowd of job seekers out there—46 percent of Monster users and 71 percent of Mon- sterTRAK users plan to look for seasonal work over the holidays. To stay ahead, get started on the job search early, as retailers need to hire and train staff before the holiday rush. Don’t limit your holiday job search; seasonal opportunities vary widely. In addition to malls and shopping centers, consider supercenters, warehouses and dol- To find a job during the holiday season, it’s a good idea to start your searchearly. lar-stores. Think outside the box: demand will increase for Santa Claus characters, security person- nel and ski resort staffers. In fact, 70 percent of Monster users say their “holiday dream job” is an unusual one—a Professional Shopper! “Forty percent of retail employers on Monster post holiday jobs,” says Steve Pogorzelski, president of Monster, North America. “The season is a great way to earn extra cash or get your foot in the door for a full-time position. To increase your chancesof getting hired, tailor your resume or application specifically for each job opening.” Holiday jobs often terminate once the season ends, but if you want to convert the position into full-time, show the boss you’re serious—bereliable, eager and productive. For additional tips and tools regarding holiday retail employment, visit Monster’s 2004 Retail Holiday Help Report at http://featured reports.monster.com/retail/intro/.
