Seasonal Jobs Cure Holiday Hum-Bug

Yikes! The holidays are just around the corner. And, if you're anything like me, you're entangled in nail biting thoughts of shelling out hard earned cash for gifts. But there is hope yet. CNN.com ran a piece last month on seasonal jobs that can help get us over the holiday hump. While economic downturn is decking the halls with boughs of hum-bug, a seasonal job may be just the answer to have us singing fa-la-la-la-la all the way to the bank.

The article points out that October is the biggest hiring month of the year for seasonal help. But don't worry, you've still got time. While the competition might be stiff, there's also an extremely high turnover rate; creating lots of openings for people just like us. If you're looking to make a little extra mullah this year, here are a few tips:

Permission

Before you jump on any part-time gigs, make sure your boss doesn't mind you doing a little extra work outside of the office. You've already got a full-time job, so you'll want to make sure you stay in good graces with the bigwigs.

You'll always want to talk to your family as well. Getting a part-time job could mean a lot of inconveniences. You'll see your family a lot less so you'll want to be sure they support you.

Balance

One of the biggest issues you'll run into is finding balance between your work and your life. Be sure that you can take on the challenge without running yourself into the ground. Perhaps you can choose to work on the weekends but remember, the more flexible you are with your hours, the more likely you are to get the job.

You'll also need to consider the added stress you may be taking on. Working an 8 hour day in the office and another 4 hours in a busy retail store can cause a lot of undue pressure in your life. You'll need to assess your situation to make sure you're able to handle it.

If you've decided that a side job is just what you need to make ends meet this holiday season, then you'll need to know where to look. Check out the hottest holiday hires industries:

Retail

Retail will always be a hot ticket for jobs this time of year. Not only are the stores packed and need all the help they can get, employees usually receive a pretty hefty discount. The discount alone can sometimes mean double what you're getting paid.

Online

In the age of the Internet, many of us never have to leave the house to do our shopping. So, why not work for Internet retailers? It's convenient and a great way to earn a few bucks. Just like regular retail shops, online retailers need help too. Check out job opportunities at your favorite site.

Movie Theaters

A lot of families have movie traditions during this season and the theaters are always open on major holidays. Just remember that you may have to work on those special days.

Tax Preparation

If you work in an office, you may have had to crunch a few numbers in your day. January 1st marks the official beginning of tax season; many firms will be looking for extra help in the preceding months. Places like H & R Block should have weekend and evening hours that you can work, whereas smaller firms will probably hold regular business hours.

This time of the year is always stressful. While working a part-time job may be helpful monetarily, it can also be a lot to handle. Determine how much you can take on before venturing into a seasonal job as you may find yourself exhausted and unable to enjoy all the wonderful festivities the holidays offer.