Jobseekers across the United Kingdom are showing an increasing appetite for seasonal employment opportunities this year, with searches for Christmas jobs surging by a remarkable 31 percent compared to the same period last year.
New data released by global hiring and matching platform, Indeed, reveals that this is the strongest seasonal job search activity since 2018.
The significant uptick in job searches suggests that more people are seeking to secure extra income for the upcoming festive season.
As the cost of living continues to rise, seasonal employment is becoming an attractive option for those looking to alleviate financial pressures.
The data from Indeed also indicates that Christmas hiring is gaining momentum in line with the customary autumn seasonal pattern.
As of 13 October, a notable 0.6 percent of all job postings on Indeed in the UK were related to holiday employment. This represents an increase compared to the same period in 2022 when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic. However, it’s worth noting that job postings are still below levels seen in the years leading up to 2022.
Which sectors seasonal hire the most?
High street retailers are at the forefront of seasonal hiring, with well-known brands like Card Factory, Dunelm, and Boots dominating the top positions among companies offering seasonal job opportunities. In fact, the top ten businesses with the highest volume of seasonal job postings encompass a variety of retail sectors, including greetings cards, homeware, cosmetics, perfume, jewellery, food and beverage, and clothing.
Jack Kennedy, Senior UK Economist at Indeed, commented on the current hiring trend, saying, “Seasonal hiring ahead of the festive period is well underway. Recruitment for Christmas jobs typically begins in August, picks up throughout September and October, and reaches a peak in November, well before Christmas arrives. Hiring efforts are running stronger this year than last, but below years prior to 2022. There is still some time for it to catch up; however, the current trend suggests employers may be a little more cautious amid economic uncertainty and expectations of slow economic growth. We are seeing strong jobseeker interest in seasonal roles, though, as many look to boost pay ahead of the festive season. This bodes well for employers looking to fill open roles as seasonal hiring ramps up.”
With jobseekers actively seeking opportunities in preparation for the holiday season and businesses keen to meet the seasonal demand, the 2023 Christmas job market is shaping up to be one of the most robust in recent years, despite the lingering economic challenges.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.