Holiday Jobs: How to Snag One, What to Expect

Many Americans try to earn a little extra cash during the holidays by taking on a part-time seasonal job. Problem is, the sluggish economy is taking a toll on companies nationwide and seasonal work may be harder to find this year.

Many retailers are expecting to offer fewer jobs this year. Maine-based L.L. Bean expects to hire 23% fewer positions than last year. And national numbers released last month by Manpower indicate that 72% of employers surveyed are either cutting jobs as they head into the holidays or keeping their payrolls unchanged.

If you are hoping to take on a second job this holiday season, here are a few tips to help you with your search.

Start Looking Now!

In previous years you could afford to wait until the start of November to begin your seasonal job search. But with fewer spots available this year, most existing positions are likely to be filled by then. If you live in an area with a strong seasonal job market -- such as a retail center or a tourist destination with restaurants and seasonal attractions -- then you probably have a good idea of which businesses tend to hire this time of year. Alternatively, you can walk through the local mall or down Main Street and check in with stores that are advertising for help.

If you don't live close to prospective seasonal employers, check out online resources like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com and search under seasonal and part time job categories. Also check with local town and county resources. Many town halls have a location for local employers who don't want to pay to post available positions on national Web sites.