If you want to find a job, seasonal work can be the first step on the way to a more permanent position. With the holiday season approaching, it’s time for this year’s batch of temp jobs to appear. This year, with so many job losses, it is likely that there will be competition for Christmas jobs. So, jobs which were once mainly student territory are likely to be attractive to more experienced but unemployed  workers looking for a foothold in the labour market or at least a temporary reprieve from the dole queue.

Which industries employ seasonal workers?

The main industries which employ temp staff at holiday time are hospitality and retail. Companies in other industries may take on staff on short-term contracts to cover annual leave and of course, in the northern hemisphere, the usual batch of winter illnesses. With this year’s swine flu, there may be more temp work available than usual.

Temp work is often one way into full time, long term employment. But if you are looking for a way back into work, it’s important to plan your strategy well. Make sure you choose an area of work in which you have experience and in which you’d be happy to work long term. And be sure that you apply to companies and organizations which are likely to have permanent vacancies.

The first step is to do some research and find out which local companies are doing well, despite the crisis and which are hiring gnereally – not just for the holiday period. Make sure you know what sort of service they need and match your skills to their requirements.

If you can make a good impression as a temp, it’s possible that you might be offered a job after your temp contract ends.

Another good source of temp work with a possibility of something more permanent is agency work. Find some reputable agencies in your area and sign up with them. Explain what you are looking for and they will be able to advise you.

Some companies have a policy of hiring temp staff as this gives them a chance to try people out before offering them permanent work. In fact, you can do a search using the phrase “temp to perm” to find employers who are doing just that.

It is also a good tactic for jobseekers who can get some experience in a company or an industry to help determine if its right for them.

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