The holidays are a pretty popular time to snag a seasonal job. Retailers tend to need more hands on deck to deal with increased foot traffic, and consumers tend to need more spending money. Everybody wins.
But once you do start that seasonal gig, you may be inclined to simply do the bare minimum, collect your weekly paycheck, and call it a day. After all, what's the point of hustling when you're talking about a job that'll probably last two months at most?
The reality, however, is that rocking your seasonal job could set the stage for other types of career-related success. Here are three in particular that should motivate you to give that gig your all.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
1. It could pave the way to full-time employment
Many people sign up for seasonal jobs thinking they'll work through the holidays and then move on. But you never know when a temporary gig could evolve into a more long-term opportunity. Imagine you're hired as a cashier for the holidays at a local store, but you do such an awesome job that your boss offers you a full-time assistant-manager role after your initial stint is done. It can happen, so don't just assume you'll part ways with your seasonal employer once the holidays wrap up.
2. You might score a solid reference
If you've ever applied to a job before, you've probably been asked to provide professional references who can speak to your abilities and reliability. Well, doing well at a seasonal job is a great way to add another name to your list. The better a job you do at that gig, the more likely you are to secure a raving endorsement from your boss. And you never know when that might come in handy.
3. You could gain valuable experience
Even if your seasonal job doesn't relate directly to your field, you never know what skills you might pick up from it along the way. If you take a temporary gig that has you interacting regularly with customers, you might gain some important diplomacy skills. If you're put in a team environment, you might boost your communication skills. And if you're placed in a role that requires you to juggle multiple responsibilities, you might gain some essential time-management skills. All of these things will better position you to get a full-time job, so it pays to take that seasonal gig seriously and do your very best at it.
It's easy to regard a seasonal job as a quick way to scrounge up extra cash, but clearly, there's lots to be gained by working your hardest at it. Remember, too, that if you do a great job, your manager might give you priority when it comes to picking up extra or more desirable shifts. So even if the longer-term perks discussed above don't come into play, you're apt to benefit more from that job in the short term by showing up with a positive attitude and an impressive work ethic.
