With retailers and shippers planning to hire hundreds of thousands of seasonal employees this holiday season, Better Business Bureau advises job seekers to polish up their resumes, research potential employers, and apply right away -- but to be smart about their job search.
Major retailers’ plans to hire seasonal workers are welcome news for job seekers. While holiday jobs are usually temporary, many retailers end up hiring some holiday workers permanently. Amid all the legitimate jobs, however, job seekers should beware of employment scams such as mystery shopper jobs that don’t exist.
Employment scams were the riskiest scam nationally in 2018, according to BBB Scam Tracker statistics. So far in 2019, more than 2,500 employment scams have been reported nationwide.
BBB offers the following advice for job hunters this holiday season. Start your job search earlier rather than later. Work where you shop; you will already be familiar with the company and its products, and discounts available to employees can mean significant savings when shopping for gifts. Discounts can range from 20% to 40% for seasonal employees.
Put your best foot forward. Even if you are just picking up applications at stores in the mall, dress neatly and be prepared for an interview. This includes being familiar with the company’s brand and products. Be flexible, because as a seasonal employee, you can expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours, possibly including Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Beware of classified ads for mystery shopper jobs or other employment opportunities requiring payment. These scams may steal money from victims, and may also use victims’ personal information to commit fraud.
