How can a seasonal job help your career transition?

AND is it too late to get holiday work for this year?

When I was at college I had a seasonal job working for the post office during the holidays.  Christmas and Hanukkah meant that there was lots of extra work needing to be done.  In LA the same applies, even in a recession, not only because of the holiday business but also because of the movie business.  It’s the season to be merry and it’s the season to watch movies.   As a British Academy Film and Television Member, I have the privilege of judging the BAFTAs – the British Academy awards.   For the next couple of months I’ll get 20 to 30 screeners courtesy of the mail, UPS and FedEx, go to a bunch of screenings and attend different film-related events.   That means extra work for someone whether you’re a driver or a party-planner!

So how does this help your job transition?  Firstly, you may take a job to see how you like it.  Working for FedEx where you have a lot of customer contact, a fast pace with regular hours and benefits may be a whole lot better than other jobs you have had in the past, but you might not know for sure until you try it out.  Secondly, you never know whom you are going to meet.  Juan (not his real name) works for FedEx and delivers on the Beverly Hills run.  He gets to meet a lot of people in the movie business, as well as other industries.  He’s friendly and good at his job so people trust him.  Now if he also happened to be an inspiring screenwriter who knows what could happen.  It could be another story like Antwone Fisher who worked as a security guard and through the people he met at his job got his script made into a movie.  And thirdly, who says that a little extra cash won’t help your career change.  A coaching client of mine, got a part-time temporary job at The Great Outdoors, and made some money and was eligible to get staff discount. Many stores offer staff discount, with certain restrictions, including Crate and Barrel, Macy’s and Ross.

You may be saying.  That sounds good but hey the holidays are here.  We just had Turkey day and I’m not going to get a job now.  That could be true. Companies were hiring in mail delivery, entertainment and hospitality.  With the tough times in the recession they may have filled their spots.  Or not!  Someone says yes to a job at Macy’s and then gets offered a permanent job or their dad gets sick or they win the lotto and suddenly there’s an opening.

In some ways, I believe it’s up to you.  If you are sure that there are no seasonal jobs, then chances are that there won’t be any jobs.  If you are open to finding a job, not just any job, but a perfect opportunity for you, chances are good that will happen.  I know because it has happened to me and happens to my clients all the time when they let their limiting beliefs go!

Getting a seasonal job is about networking and looking outside the box.  Ask your friends or families for ideas, information or people to talk to about jobs for the holidays.  Especially focus on those jobs that are not advertised.  At this time of the year, even in the recession, people hold celebrations and go to parties and events.  There is still a need for everyone from wait staff to babysitters and from children’s clowns to pianists to play at events. 

Have a great holiday season and best of luck finding that seasonal job which will help you with your career transition or changing jobs in 2010.

1. Don't include anything on Facebook, Myspace etc. that is suspect!
   You don't want anything that on your profile that would’t want your grandmother or boss reading.  Sex, religion and politics are potentially dangerous.  And only share if you want to not by accident or default.  According to Business Week, 35% of surveyed employers have eliminated applicants based on online profiles. 
   
   
2. Be careful when using Plaxo or LinkedIn. 
   Recruiters or your next boss can look you up.  If your focus is your freelance business on the site the recruiter may be less happy with your application for a job.
   
   
3. When applying for jobs some corporations will want you to store a resume on their database.  Make sure you keep it up to date and if you have tweaked it for this company's industry and job needs that you have a copy so you can refer to it.
   
   
4. Don't use cute email addresses for business unless you want a cute job.   Iwantsome@ or teddybearcharmer@ may not be the appropriate names for your dream job hunt.
   
   
5. Google yourself and see what comes up.
   - I was working with a consulting company and I googled the CEO.  Up came his college facts - he was in the soccer team, a press release about his joining the consulting company a year ago and a legal document showing that he sued his old company for breach of contract.

3.  If you're unemployed be bolder and bigger.

The odds are tough.  There are more people looking for jobs than opportunities.  So it doesn't work to be restrained and small in your search.  What works in a good job market doesn't work now.

I am working with a very talented professional in the entertainment business.  After a while being out of work we started to work together.  Before he had easily got a job by applying online and with the help of a few friends.  In this market we worked on increasing his network, gaining mentors and thinking of alternative strategies like working on a "trial" basis and consulting on a contract.