Christmas employment

That season is almost upon us. And with it comes a newness we have come to expect. Of course I am talking about the Christmas employment season. Hundreds of teenagers and college students start applying for work they know is temporary but should put a little spending cash in their pockets.
As an employer I see applicants of all ages and with it I am seeing a disturbing trend. Who is teaching these students how to apply for a job? My guess would be nobody. So, if you will, please allow me to offer a few suggestions to the new applicants that might just improve your chances.
When applying for a job please don’t take the lazy approach and phone it in. If you call my store and ask if we are hiring I am going to tell you no – even if I am. Employers need to see you. They need to know that you will take the time to apply face-to-face. If you phone in your application we can only expect you to phone in your job as well. We don’t need employees like that.
When you do show up please wear appropriate clothing for the job you are seeking. Jeans that don’t even come close to hugging your hips and t-shirts that expose your navel ring will not get you a job you really want to keep. If you have done your research (and you should), then you should dress in a manner similar to what you hope will be your fellow employees. At the least you should be dressed in a business casual manner. Men should be in dress slacks and a button down shirt and the ladies should be attired in either a nice dress or a skirt or slacks and a blouse.
While I recognize this generation’s need to adorn themselves in piercings and label yourself with injected ink, it would be a good idea to cover the tattoos and leave the ornaments at home until you determine that such a thing is allowed at your prospective employer.
Most employers have an application form that you fill out when you get there. However, bringing a resume certainly enhances your chances. If you don’t have a resume or don’t want to bring one, at least bring a pen. I cannot tell you how many applicants come unprepared to fill out an application. At the very least you should have a list of a minimum of three references. These references should be asked before you use them and you should come with their addresses and their phone numbers. A certain way to assure you will not get a job is to ask me for a phone book so you can look up your reference’s address and number.
Hopefully these few ideas will help you in your search for your Christmas job this year. I wish you the best of luck in your job hunt.
Oh, and one other thing – I’m not hiring at this time.