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How to apply for a Christmas job

It may be only October half term but now is a good time to get that Christmas job application sorted. Royal Mail and Amazon have both recently announced that they will taking on thousands of staff for their busiest time of year.  If you have always found the seasonal recruitment process confusing or if this is your first time applying then these tips may help.

 1)   Online clues.

 Take a look at the Company’s website.   Read the job description, about the Company and their values.  The clues to getting a job are all here.

 2)   Apply

Check how the company wants to receive applications.  Some may simply ask for a CV and covering letter but others will have an online application process. 

 Online Applications

This process may be quite detailed asking for specific information in a specific format.  This is usually because they receive thousands of applications and they can use key words to help sieve applications faster.  Make sure you understand what is required before completing the application and take time to read over before you submit it to ensure there are no errors.  Applications with missing information may be discarded.

 Covering letters

If you are sending off multiple letters do make sure that you are addressing the right Company.  Spell check, spell check, spell check and ask someone to check it for you.  Applications full of errors and spelling mistakes will be the first to be discarded.  Also make sure that it is tailored specifically to the company.  Ensure you put the correct name, address, reference number etc.  Also detail which role you are interested in and why you would be a good fit for the role using the information from their website.  Don’t just copy chunks off the website, this comes across as lazy and will again get you left on the ‘NO’ pile.

 CVs

Detail the basics: name, contact details, current job and company with start and end dates, previous title and company with start and end dates, education.  There are loads of examples online now on how to format a CV.  Keep it clear and simple but don’t be afraid to be a little creative to make it stand out.

If you have not had a job before then you could consider putting brief details of any extra curricular activity you do.  This could be volunteering, or a hobby.  However, the trick is to make sure that it demonstrates skills or qualities that the Company values or expects their employees to have. 

 If you did some volunteering work with a local charity where you helped out at a fun day and the Supermarket you wish to apply for mentions that it values team working, putting customers first and hard work.  Use these three things in your description of what you did whilst volunteering.  

 For example:

 June 2014  - Volunteered at XYZ Charity fun day.

I worked on the afternoon tea and cake stand.  We worked in a team to ensure that all the Charities customers were served promptly and I spent time talking to and dealing with their queries.  We also worked as a team to ensure that all the teapots, plates and cups were cleaned, checked and packed as the supplier requested at the end of the day.  It was hard work but really rewarding.

 Think about other examples you can give that demonstrate these qualities.  Even if you have no real experience, if you can demonstrate that you understand the qualities that are important to the company then this will help you in the interview.

 3) Interview

Just because you are applying for a temporary role which may only last a couple of weeks it doesn’t mean that the Company does not take recruitment of their staff seriously.  Recruitment is expensive and time consuming.  They will also be investing in training you.  Make sure you follow these golden rules:

 1)    Arrive 5-10mins early.

2)    Dress smartly (suit if you have one).  Definitely no jeans or trainers.

3)    It’s OK to be nervous.  Ask for a question to be repeated if you need to or ask to come back to it.

4)    Be enthusiastic about the role.  If you act bored you are likely to find your interview will be cut short. No one is going to invest time in someone who doesn’t want to be there.

5)    Prepare 3-4 questions to ask at the end and have them on a piece of paper to prompt you. I know all you want to do is leave but a couple of well thought out questions and an interest in the Company can make the difference between candidates.  Again use the Company website.  Even ask a question clarifying something you have seen on the website or check that you have provided all the information required for the recruiting manager.

6)    Thank them for their time.

 4) Agencies

Sometimes Companies will use an agency to handle their seasonal recruitment. 

This can be a good option if you are looking for your first role as they will help you with CV writing and submission.  They can also coach you for the interview as they will know what the Company is looking for.  However, still take time to do your own research and prepare questions.   It is very obvious to an Employer when candidate after candidate provide the same stock answers to interview questions and this can be a negative.

There's a fun info graphic to help you remember these tips here.

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Can you be corporate and creative?

How many times have you tried to update your CV to make it more appealing but could only muster a daring switch from Times Roman to Arial?  Maybe you have deliberated as to how much detail about your Duke of Edinburgh Award weekend is acceptable before the reader nods off?

 Most employers will skim a CV taking in only the information about current company, job title and start and end dates. 

 As a recruiter I’ve seen the good, the bad and the 12 page rants (yes really). But most CVs followed the same format and are for want of a better word, boring, generic even.

 People who work in a corporate environment are not boring and can possess a creative side too.  Why is not OK to sell that we have other facets to our personality?

 I worked with a no-nonsense Manager who used to rub most people up the wrong way with his abruptness but ask him about his passion for baking and he went positively gooey eyed.  There were even published authors or accomplished jewellery makers, but you wouldn’t find any of this on their CVs.

 It’s refreshing to see that some people are taking the Curriculum Vitae and turning it into a more creative outlet.

 One example is Rachael King’s Living Resume board on Pinterest.  This includes the highlights of her career using different social media platforms, such as blog posts, videos and other documents she has contributed to. This demonstrates her ability as well as her personality.

 The use of video for resumes and applications is also increasing due to the You Tube generation.  People are using their cameras (or smart phones) to talk about an array of issues and showcase their talents.  It doesn’t just have to be for those within the media industry.

 A school leaver can struggle to find content to put on a CV, let alone attend a formal interview in a corporate environment that is unfamiliar to them.  But they have no trouble talking to a camera in their bedroom as if it were an old friend.

 It can be a great way for those who are shy or who struggle with interviews to at least get seen and heard when a traditional CV might fail them.  They can also use it to showcase their skills and let their personality shine through.

I know I for one would rather watch a selection of short video applications than trawl through page after page of the same but I suspect some will argue about objectivity.  However, if Employer’s are open minded enough to build it into their recruitment process I think there could be benefits for both parties.  

 What do you think?  Would you send a video application?

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