It's also the most wonderful time of the year for retailers of hardware and building supplies like Lowe's and The Home Depot, as customers flock to their stores to buy the materials they need to get started on spring cleaning and home improvement projects.
And just as the department stores do at Christmastime, the do-it-yourself stores stock up on staff as well as merchandise, offering thousands of seasonal jobs right about now.
Home Depot began its spring hiring spree in March, adding 60,000 workers to its payroll. Lowe's, its chief rival, will add 50,000 workers this season.
As these jobs are of short duration by design, they are not appropriate for those looking for long-term employment in retail, but for those just embarking on their careers, or considering switching careers to retail, such positions offer a foot in the door and a chance to gain valuable experience.
If you land one of these jobs, expect to hit the ground running after a short training period. You should be prepared to handle a high volume of customers with friendliness and aplomb and give knowledgeable answers about the store's products and services. And even though you will likely be doing something else by the time summer rolls around, you should approach your job as though you will be here for the long run. Given the high turnover among customer-facing retail employees, there is a chance that if you perform your job well, your temporary job could turn into something more durable. Even if it doesn't, outstanding performance in a job such as this will help as you seek employment elsewhere in retail.
Long- and short-term jobs are in ample supply on RetailGigs.com.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for RetailGigs.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Nexxt. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on RetailGigsBlog.com.
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