Career Planning >> Browse Articles >> Student Jobs
Cool Holiday Part Time Jobs
Ideas for cool part time jobs for work in retail during the holiday season
By Roberta Chinsky Matuson, Monster Contributing Writer
June 17, 2009
Working in retail doesn’t necessarily mean that every day is the same. If you’re looking to add some excitement to your retail career or earn some extra cash with an out-of-the-ordinary job, there are plenty of seasonal opportunities that go beyond ringing cash registers and stocking shelves. While all positions are not the same, consider one of the following cool temporary jobs. You may even decide to make seasonal work your career.
Characters and Entertainers
You’ve heard it time and time again—you’re such a character or you’re such a ham. If you love attention and entertaining others, there is a seasonal position just for you.
Many retail organizations hire characters to help bolster holiday sales. A good Santa or Easter Bunny can have a significant effect on store sales.
To successfully play a character, you need to love children, have a good sense of humor, be flexible and have a strong back. Only dependable candidates need apply—i.e. if you’re anything like Bad Santa, look elsewhere for a holiday job.
Secret Agents
Picture yourself incognito, skulking through the aisles of electronics as shoppers scurry through the store. Suddenly, you spot a shoplifter and radio for backup. Sound intriguing? Undercover security or loss prevention might be the ticket you need to exit your 9-to-5 job.
Stores increase security personnel during peak buying times. Candidates with police backgrounds or security experience are encouraged to apply. Before you fill out your application, be sure your background is pristine. Security personnel usually undergo extensive background checks prior to being hired.
Also, consider spying on stores as well. Many companies hire Secret Shoppers to gage the shopping experience. You’ll be able to report back about the interaction you had with store employees as well as cleanliness and wait times.

SerenaC74
over 1 year ago
To those looking for part-time/full-time jobs:
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the best place to share your credentials is not on a Fastweb message board. The people you want to hire you will probably not be looking for applicants through a Fastweb post to an article. Go where they are looking. BUT, maybe I'm wrong. I hope so, and good luck on the job hunt! :)
Mengladys
over 1 year ago
hollydainafox, I live in a small town in Tennessee, and I understand your dilemma. I hope your father finds a new job soon. Have you tried being an Americorps volunteer in order to get the money for college? It worked for me. I volunteered my time for two years working with a local housing authority through Americorps and I got paid a stipend that was enough to live on. I also walked away with almost $10,000 for my college education. President Kennedy started the program, and it's been good to me. Hope you and your family are o.k.
http://www.americorps.gov/
SabirahA
over 1 year ago
Good comment from hollydainafox. Good luck finding a job and I'm sure someway will pull through for you to go to college without paying much from your own pocket
jjanuary
over 1 year ago
Hiring! http://affiliate.colonialsbi.com. Earn commissions selling the eBusiness building programs offered by major colleges. Free training. No investment other than your time and any office supplies you choose to use. Sign up at: http://affiliate.colonialsbi.com and you will be contacted within 24 hours by a professional mentor. Can be done completely online or off line. No website or sales experience necessary!
hollydainafox
over 1 year ago
To everybody correcting everybody else's grammar: Stop. This is not an application OR a resume so i do not think it matters much. Also. Everybody is looking for jobs right now. My father worked for the same company for 25 years and was laid off this past year. I'm going to be eighteen in three months and i have never had a real job, because i live in HAYFORK. I don't have the slightest idea how i'm going to put myself through college....
alucero04
over 1 year ago
wow...periods and commas must not exist anymore!
nnekastancil
over 1 year ago
Karenodie, did you mean "grammer" or "grammar"? Looks like your post is no different from the others that you are trying to put down.
karenodie
over 1 year ago
Call me a jerk, but not one of the posts below have correct spelling, grammer, or punctuation. If I was an employer hiring, I would not be impressed.
magatetus
over 1 year ago
I'm 21 and still looking
jessica5443
over 1 year ago
i wish i could even have a part time job, ive beein trying since i was 12, and now 5 years later im still looking...palm bay has no jobs at all
testiony12
over 1 year ago
at least all of you are old enough to even have a job i'm a freshman in high school i mean i know what i want to be i know what im going to do and were ill be going after high school im a hard worker willing to help with any thing, now you may think im crazy but im similar in a way all you are similar this christmas id like to get my family presests and such but i just dont have any money but then again not like most of you or even any, ill help or work for now money but yet the fact knowing that i helped
LACYANN
over 1 year ago
hi i am a college student who need a job full time or part time i just need to work. am a fast learner so whatever the job is i am willing to learn and be apart of the company or organization........
TyponeshaH
over 1 year ago
maybe you should tutor students for moneyV
fatou93
over 1 year ago
hi i am a senior and could really use a part time job to help me and my guardians wit my school fees and some thing more to help me with starting to live on my own i do more for others then myself so i looking to help others and also learn while working
ValentineB5
about 2 years ago
I am an energetic young man looking for a any part-time job, except to kill. I could perform to duties of a Characters and Entertainers, In-Store Demonstration Personnel, Troubleshooters, Store Ambassadors, and even Health-Care positions. I have good computer skills, and even some engineering computer skills too. I work well in every work environment, and can work in a fast-pace environment without stress. I look toward hearing from someone. Thanks for taking time to read this.