Holiday Jobs are here: Your Guide to Scoring Seasonal Work
Holiday celebrations are right around the corner, and so are thousands of short-term jobs and project opportunities. Plenty of major employers across retail, food services, transportation, and hospitality are still looking for extra hands. Whether you want to add to your resume with work experience or explore a new industry or field over winter break, this is your time to get curious and start searching.
Why Seasonal Jobs are a Win for Students
Fast hiring. Flexible hours. Useful skills.
Seasonal work is ideal for students who want to gain hands-on experience without long-term commitment, leaving time for more opportunities in the spring. Many employers hire on the spot, and you can start earning even a few weeks after winter break ends.
How to Get Started: Smart Ways to Find Seasonal Jobs
Target Big Employers Hiring Now
- National companies ramp up their holiday hiring earlier than you think. Don’t wait and apply while roles are still open!
Use the Right Keywords
- When searching on Handshake or LinkedIn, try phrases like:
- “seasonal jobs”
- “holiday jobs”
- “winter break jobs”
- TIP: add your city or ZIP code to filter opportunities near you
Go Local: Look In-Person
- Retail stores, cafés, and restaurants often post “now hiring” signs by mid-November/December. Just bring a few copies of your resume when you’re running errands, a quick chat with a manager can turn into an interview on the spot.
Check Community Job Boards
- Platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook Local Jobs can lead you to fast, neighborhood-based opportunities
- Tell your friends, classmates, professors, and mentors that you’re looking for short-term or part-time work. Referrals are one of the fastest and most successful ways to get hired.
Use Streamlined Job-Search Tools
- mySkillsmyFuture: helps you find roles that match the skills you already have
- Remote Rocketship: lists thousands of remote, part-time, and project-based openings
Seasonal Hiring Spotlight: Who’s Hiring Right Now?
These companies are still looking for bright and eager students to join their teams this holiday season:
Amazon
- Currently hiring 250,000+ seasonal workers in fulfillment centers nationwide.
Target
- Immediate eligibility for certain benefits for openings in guest services, fulfillment, food & beverage, tech, and more!
Kohl’s
- In-store distribution roles with weekly pay and employee discounts are live now!
HomeGoods
- Part-time and full-time roles in a supportive, team-oriented retail environment.
UPS & FedEx
- Thousands of open roles for: drivers, warehouse staff, and customer service positions.
Ski Resorts
- Through CoolWorks, you can find hospitality, outdoor, ski instructor, and guest service roles to land more adventure-based jobs.
Final Tips: You’ve Got This!
What to do next…
Seasonal hiring moves fast, sometimes within days. Apply early, check back often, and don’t underestimate the power of speaking with managers to drop off your resume in-person. Go land the winter job that sets you up for success in the new year! If you’d like help preparing your resume or practicing for interviews, book an appointment with Career and Professional Development through Handshake and explore our online resources including VMock and Big Interview, to name a few.
