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If you’re looking for Christmas employment and haven’t already begun your search, the BBB Serving Western Virginia is advising you to get started.  Competition for these jobs will likely be fierce, and the Better Business Bureau recommends applying early and taking steps to put your best foot forward.

According the outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, retailers are expected to hire about the same number of seasonal employees this year as they did last year.  It is expected that about 620,000 seasonal job openings will need to be filled this holiday season.

“If you don’t find a job right away, don’t be discouraged; the retail industry generally has turnover; keep the lines of communication open with any prospective employer in case their needs change”, said Julie Wheeler, President & CEO of the BBB Serving Western Virginia. “While the jobs are usually temporary, there is always the possibility that the job will continue past the holiday season.”

If you need more information, contact the BBB at (540) 342-3455 or (800) 533-5501. You can also visit www.bbb.org.  Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/BBB_WesternVA.

Submitted by Julie Wheeler.

Read on for more advice for job hunters:

The BBB offers the following advice for job hunters this holiday season:

Start the job search earlier rather than later – The key to landing a seasonal job is to start searching early. Retail, shipping, restaurants and catering companies are common sources of seasonal employment and now is the time for job hunters to determine which job suits them best, identify companies they’d like to work for and then begin submitting applications and resumes.

Work where you shop – Try to identify seasonal employment with businesses where you actually shop or frequent. You will already be familiar with the company and its products and, secondly, discounts available for employees mean significant savings when shopping for Christmas gifts. Discounts can range from 20-40 percent for seasonal employees.

Put your best foot forward – Even if you are just picking up an application at stores in the mall, dress your best and be prepared for an interview. This includes being familiar with the company’s brand and its products. Retail job hunters in particular need to focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skills—which is a must when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.

Be flexible – Full-time employees usually have first dibs on the preferred hours and shifts, so, as a seasonal employee, expect to work long, sometimes inconvenient hours including working on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. If this is a second job in addition to your day job, be upfront and clear with your new employer about your available hours.