People often put their job search on hold in the lead-up to Christmas. But October, November, and December can be a great time to find new roles.
With fewer people searching for jobs in autumn and winter, there can be less competition – which can make it easier to get ahead and avoid the new year rush.
Plus, Christmas can be a hectic time for a wide range of businesses, so there are also plenty of seasonal roles on offer if you’re looking for something temporary.
With this in mind, we’ve pulled together this list of 12 age-diverse employers who are hiring now, all the way through until Christmas…
1. Yodel
These days, it’s never been easier to get items shipped to your doorstep from all kinds of businesses, big and small. And helping to make sure that people receive packages on time can be satisfying and rewarding – especially in the lead-up to the holiday season when people are ordering gifts for their loved ones.
Yodel, one of the UK’s favourite delivery services, is now hiring for a range of different roles. If you enjoy hitting the open road and interacting with customers, you could consider a role as a courier delivery driver. Or, if you’d rather get stuck into something behind the scenes, there are plenty of warehouse operative roles available on our website.
If you’ve got some leadership experience and you’re interested in managing a friendly and efficient team, Yodel also has plenty of management opportunities available.
2. Merlin Entertainments
You might not have heard of Merlin Entertainments themselves, but they’re responsible for some of the UK’s most beloved attractions.
From experiences including the London Eye and Sea Life to theme parks like Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, and Thorpe Park, there are work opportunities to be found all over the country.
Whether you’d like to become a lifeguard at Legoland or flex your creative side and curate displays at Sea Life aquarium, there’s sure to be a role for you!
3. John Lewis & Partners
John Lewis & Partners have been a trusted high-street brand here in the UK for decades. And since the first shop was opened by John Lewis himself on Oxford Street in the 1860s, the business has expanded into more than just department stores. So there are plenty of roles on offer, both seasonal and permanent.
If you love being behind the wheel, why not apply to be a customer delivery driver? Or perhaps you’d prefer a more customer-facing role as a retail assistant.
4. Waitrose
Part of the John Lewis & Partners family, Waitrose has provided British shoppers with groceries and more for over a century.
Because supermarkets are major pillars of our villages, towns, and cities, working in one will give you the chance to get more involved with your community.
Plus, the constant foot traffic means that they’re a lively and dynamic place to work. Whether you’re working in the shops themselves or delivering to people’s houses, you’re sure to meet a diverse range of people.
Interested in becoming an important part of your community?
5. Lakeland
If you like to work on your feet and enjoy talking to people, then a job in retail might be the perfect fit.
Shops can get pretty busy in the run-up to Christmas, and helping people pick out gifts for their loved ones can be enjoyable and rewarding. Plus, it can be a great way to make connections in your community.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, why not have a browse of all the excellent vacancies that Lakeland has on our website? From retail assistant positions to customer service representative jobs, this trusted kitchenware retailer has many opportunities available.
And even if a retail role isn’t for you, Lakeland is currently looking for people to fill behind-the-scenes roles as well – for example, in the warehouse.
6. Cards For Good Causes
Cards For Good Causes is the UK’s largest multi-charity retailer. They sell greeting cards and gifts on behalf of charitable organisations – from large, national charities such as Cancer Research UK and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to local organisations like hospices and wildlife trusts.
Every year during the festive season, Cards for Good Causes open pop-up shops across the country to raise money for all of these worthwhile causes, all while providing people with what they need during a time of gift-giving. And they’re on the lookout for enthusiastic people to run their temporary shops.
If you have experience in a customer-facing role and you’re looking for seasonal work (October-December), why not see if there’s an opportunity near you?
7. H. Samuel
Wearing jewellery has been part of human culture for millennia – and gifting people with necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other adornments has become one of our favourite ways to express our affection.
If you’d like to become part of this long-standing tradition, why not consider applying for a job with H. Samuel this holiday season?
As one of the UK’s most trusted jewellers, H. Samuel has locations all across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. And since the run-up to Christmas is a particularly busy time, each year they’re on the lookout for seasonal workers to become temporary sales associates.
Or, if you’re looking for something a little more long-lasting, H. Samuel also has a range of part-time permanent roles listed on our website.
8. Roadchef
Whether we’re making a cross-country trip and itching for a break, or simply looking for a caffeine fix on the drive to work, it can be a relief to see a service stop just up ahead.
Roadchef operates service stops on motorways all across the UK, and their facilities include a collection of catering companies and other retail spaces that are on the lookout for great staff.
If you’re looking for a customer-facing role, then perhaps a role at WHSmiths might be for you. Or maybe you have an interest in food and drink preparation, in which case, a position at Leon or Costa might be a better fit.
From baristas and catering assistants to store managers and restaurant supervisors, there are loads of roles from Roadchef available on our website.
9. Currys
Electronics retailer and repairer, Currys, is another trusted UK high street brand who have a wide range of vacancies at the moment for all experience levels.
If you enjoy the open road, you might want to consider becoming a delivery driver. You’ll surely enjoy the satisfaction on customers’ faces when their brand-new television or washing machine arrives. Or if you’re interested in helping people to make the best purchase decisions possible, you could apply to become a sales assistant.
With Currys, roles like these don’t require any previous experience, but there are some jobs on offer that might need a little technical know-how – for example, Currys are now hiring white goods engineers to fix appliances like fridges and dishwashers. There are also management vacancies for those interested in leading a team.
10. Travelodge
Are you warm and welcoming with a passion for delivering a quality service? If so, maybe you’d be interested in helping to give weary travellers the rest they need.
As the UK’s largest independent hotel brand, Travelodge operates hundreds of hotels all throughout Britain and Ireland, and they’re currently hiring for a range of positions.
Although all of Travelodge’s vacancies are focused on making their guests as comfortable as possible during their stay, roles are varied – including everything from housekeepers and bar staff to maintenance people and accountants.
Plus, many of Travelodge’s entry-level positions allow opportunities for progression into management roles.
11. Ernest Jones
Another option for those who’d like to indulge their love of beautiful jewellery is Ernest Jones – one of Britain’s favourite jewellers and watchmakers.
There are lots of seasonal sales associate jobs on offer, as well as full-time retail roles. So, whether you’re looking for some temporary work or want to give yourself the best Christmas present of all (a new career!), hopefully you’ll find an opportunity with Ernest Jones that appeals to you.
12. Asda
Right now, beloved supermarket brand Asda is looking for drivers to deliver groceries and other goods to people’s homes. So if you love spending your days on the open road and putting a smile on people’s faces, this could be the perfect role for you.
Asda’s operation runs 24/7, so there are plenty of different shift patterns on offer. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a flexible opportunity to fit around their life.
Why not see if there’s an opportunity near you?
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re looking for seasonal or permanent work, the months leading up to Christmas can be the ideal time to land yourself a new job.
If none of these opportunities appeal to you, we have over 50,000 jobs available on our website from over 300 employers. So why not take a look at what’s on offer?
And if you’d like some help with your job search, interview technique, CV-writing skills, and more, head on over to the careers section of our website to browse our informative articles.