Summer jobs now hiring

Thousands of jobs are up for grabs this summer for workers who want to cash in on Christmas cheer and take over while regular staff go off on holiday.

Up to 25,000 jobs are created each summer in South Australia, with retail employing the most staff at between 10,000 and 20,000 people.

Hospitality employs about 2000 extra workers and up to 3000 workers can receive harvest-related jobs in the agricultural sector.

Many other jobs not usually associated as being involved in the end-of-year rush are available in other sectors, ranging from administration to packaging.

Recruitment agencies have noticed an increase in demand for hospitality workers in bars, cafes and bakeries. Entree Recruitment senior consultant Bree Downs-Woolley says there is an increase in demand this year for casuals, particularly in retail, because of returned economic confidence.

“There are people out there wanting to buy and there needs to be the workforce ready to supply it,” she says.

She says many staff are needed to “backfill” positions as workers move into the role of more senior staff who take holidays, leaving vacancies at the more junior level.

“There is usually contract and temporary work from October to December and this year we have had substantially more,” she says.

Jobs are up for grabs in the packaging and processing industry with online retailers who post gifts as well as at Christmas hamper companies.

University students can find work in their fields through summer internships.

There also are vacancies for workers to provide services associated with the warmer summer weather, such as swimming teachers, pool attendants and sports coaching clinics.

Regional areas expecting an influx of summer holidaymakers need workers in service businesses.

Temporary staff, especially in administration, are needed to cover for workers who take Christmas holiday annual leave at corporate organisations.

Entree Recruitment has 70 temporary jobs available between November and January, as well as 25 reception roles and and 15 project jobs in accounts and data entry because of an increase in work in preparing for shutdowns and for extra staff at Christmas.

Excel Recruitment national sales and marketing manager Nigel Smart says most seasonal jobs are advertised in mid-November, particularly in retail, which typically needs extra staff for about six weeks.

“Many employers are now asking people interested in seasonal work to register online so it’s worth looking at that now and providing them with your details,” he says.

Salvation Army Employment Plus spokeswoman Kirrilee Trist advises workers to go from shop to shop, inquiring about work, to land a job.

“Take a bunch of resumes and a big smile and a positive attitude,” she says.

Workers also can find jobs through traditional means such as in newspaper, online and recruitment agencies, as well as on university job boards, in-store displays and community noticeboards and word of mouth.

Waitress Emma Burdett, 20, started out as a summer casual three years ago with the South Australian Cricket Association at Adelaide Oval.

SACA is recruiting up to 250 corporate and retail catering staff to start work at Adelaide Oval during the Ashes Test match from December 3 and continue throughout summer.

Personnel required include 60 bar, 80 waiting and 50 kiosk staff, 10 kitchen hands and 30 chefs.

“It’s not another day at work, you get involved in the atmosphere and the people,” Ms Burdett says. “Everyone comes to have a good time.”.

There is lots of summer work available, some of the jobs include:

• BARTENDER
• WAIT STAFF
• CHEF
• SALES
• ASSISTANT
• PACKING
• WORKER
• LIFEGUARD
• SWIM COACH
• BABYSITTER
• RECEPTIONIST
• ACCOUNTS STAFF
• FRUIT PICKERS
• INTERN

It’s really important to present well if you are looking for summer work.

You have a limited time to make a good impression. Be polished, be friendly and show good customer service.

“Employers are looking for employees who are reliable.Flexibility is really important as well.”