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SALT LAKE CITY -- Employment analysts say the odds of finding full-time work may be slightly higher over the holidays. They say common misconceptions make a lot of people stop looking in November and December.
Many job-seekers believe that companies are only hiring seasonal help during the holidays, but that's not the case. Strategic Staffing Area Manager Richard Tripp says companies are hiring full-time employees in November and December like normal.
"January, February and March are typically our slower times in getting new job orders in," he said. Tripp says a lot of people turn down seasonal work because they're looking for a full-time job, but this is a bad idea. People forget that seasonal jobs frequently turn into permanent ones.
A lot of people turn down seasonal work because they're looking for a full-time job, but this is a bad idea.
"Later on, we find out the people that we have put on those positions eventually get offered those [full-time] positions as they come up," Tripp said.
In order for a temporary worker to get a full-time position with the company, they really need to wow their boss. Tripp says they can do this by asking for more duties and more responsibility.
"If you are always doing that and telling them, ‘Wow, I really like working here. Boy, it would sure be great to work here,' but always asking for more responsibilities and more duties, that's what's going to impress the employer," Tripp explained.
So, even if you're looking for a permanent job, Tripp says you shouldn't pass up the seasonal work. As long as you tell your holiday boss you're looking for a full-time job, Tripp says they'll likely understand if you leave for one.
"At the same time, if you give notice, most companies, when they're hiring and they really want the individual, they will wait for you. They'll wait while you give notice," Tripp said.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
