|
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
As part of lifebyte's Christmas Survival Guide, we look at the best places to go for that part-time job you'll need to help pay your way through the festive season. |
 |
|
|
|
|
 It's
realisation time. If you're a bit strapped for cash coming up to Christmas, then
like it or not, a part time job could be on the cards. But you'd best get on the
case quick, cos they're going like mad.
Tens of thousands of jobs are created each Christmas as shops and services struggle
to cope with increased demand. And lifebyte's been on the phone to the major players
to see who's hiring, who's not and who you've already missed.
Music giants HMV tell us that they're already fully booked for the festive rush, so unless your local store is saying differently, you might as well save yourself the effort.
A better bet, if you live in a decent-sized town, is the Post Office. Millions
of extra items of mail need sorting and then delivering throughout December. Most
of the jobs will be in the sorting centres which are spread throughout Britain,
although don't despair even if you live up a hill somewhere, because spare street-walking
posties are in demand too.
 Jobs
are unlikely to last any longer than the turkey, but your employer will keep your
details on record for any times they're stretched. Pay starts at £3.93 an hour
if you're over 18, and they're taking on a massive 25,000 extra temporary staff.
See newspaper ads, your job centre or call your local mail sorting office (find
it in Yellow Pages) for more details.
Marks and Spencer are also starting their Christmas employment drive. They're
taking on a couple of thousand staff throughout the country – mostly sales
assistants. Get the lowdown from your local
store or call the central UK recruitment centre on 020 7268 8676. Pay
is a decent £4.25 for over 18s and there's a chance that you'll be kept on through
their extended January Sales period.
The big supermarkets are always on the lookout for staff. They're not especially
hiring cos Santa's coming, but there'll be a job near you if you 'checkout' a
couple
of websites.
 And
the government's Department for Education and Employment helpfully says –
and this is a quote – that 'there are lots of jobs going in pubs' at this
time of year, so give your local a bell. Isn't it great to see such insight from
those in authority?
The general consensus is that it's not the best time of year to start with a company if you're looking for work into next year. When the sales slow down again, it'll be a case of 'last in, first out' – but at least they'll know your face and you'll have worked off a bit of the Christmas debt.
Or you could just party for a solid fortnight and worry about your financial health when your physical health recovers.
— Tom Savage 05.12.00
|
|
|
