We Tallied More Than 750K Seasonal Job Openings. Here’s Who’s Hiring

Much is up in the air this year. But here’s something you can count on: seasonal jobs. Lots of them.

As we head into the holiday season, major employers are recruiting en masse just like previous years. And in several cases, they have the same — or even more — openings than last year.

The Penny Hoarder tracked hiring initiatives by well-known retailers that typically go on hiring sprees this time of year. We tallied well over half a million jobs — many starting at $15 an hour.

Here’s a look at who’s got the jobs this year, how to apply and how to keep the gig after the holidays are over.

Amazon: 233,000 Seasonal and Permanent Jobs

With Amazon’s latest hiring announcements, its workforce is eking toward the 1 million mark, second only to Walmart.

The majority of Amazon’s new jobs are in delivery, logistics and grocery shopping roles — about 100,000 are seasonal and 100,000 are permanent. These openings include full- and part-time hourly jobs at Amazon warehouses, Prime Now and Whole Foods locations. No resume is required to apply, and you may start working in as little as one week.

Amazon has a company-wide $15 minimum wage. In some cities, Amazon pays signing bonuses of up to $1,500.

In September, Amazon separately announced 33,000 permanent tech and corporate jobs, which are open across the company’s HR, finance, engineering, data-science, marketing and several other departments. These jobs come with benefits that start on day one, including health, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with 50% company match; paid time off and parental leave.

You’ll also be eligible for those benefits as an hourly worker as long as your position is full-time and permanent.

How to apply:  Use Amazon’s job board to find part- and full-time jobs. For delivery gigs, sign up through the Amazon Flex app.
Wages: $15 or more.

Target: 130,000 Seasonal Jobs

Target is a top seasonal employer, recruiting in the six figures each year. In its 2020 hiring announcement, Target did not mention a hard number but said it plans to recruit about the same amount of seasonal workers as last year, which was 130,000.

A slew of in-store and distribution center jobs are available. In-store gigs include retail associates, cashiers and Starbucks baristas. The main distribution center jobs are general warehouse workers, packers and fulfillment center workers.

New this year is the company-wide implementation of a $15 minimum wage. Seasonal workers also get some benefits such as employee discounts and free virtual doctor’s visits.

Here’s a closer look at Target’s seasonal hiring plans.

How to apply: Use Target’s online job board.

Wages: $15 or more.

UPS: 100,000 Seasonal Jobs

Despite the pandemic, UPS expects a strong holiday season this year, with its 20-million-per-day package rate slated to double in the coming months.

To handle the surge, the company plans to hire 100,000 part- and full-time seasonal workers. It hired the same amount in 2018 and 2019.

Seasonal UPS gigs fall into three main categories: drivers, driver helpers and package handlers. According to the job listings, these positions are entry-level, though driving-related jobs have additional requirements unrelated to work experience.

For driving positions, you need a valid U.S. driver’s license and may need to meet certain age requirements and pass an exam by the Department of Transportation. The positions are otherwise entry-level.

UPS boasts a strong culture of internal promotion and says about 35% of seasonal package handlers end up moving into permanent positions.

Here’s a closer look at UPS’ seasonal jobs.

How to apply: Use UPS’s online job board, or visit your local UPS branch.

Wages: $11 to $21, according to Glassdoor estimates.

Kohl’s: About 90,000 Seasonal Jobs

This year, Kohl’s expects a surge in online orders and plans to staff its stores and distribution centers accordingly.

The department store did not share a hard number in its hiring announcement, but a spokesperson told The Penny Hoarder that seasonal hiring will be comparable to past holiday seasons. Kohl’s hired more than 90,000 seasonal workers last year and in 2018.

Kohl’s splits its seasonal jobs into two categories: store jobs and distribution jobs.

Store jobs include retail sales and fulfillment associates. Distribution jobs include warehouse workers and loss prevention associates. All positions are entry level, though some relevant experience is preferred.

Here’s a closer look at Kohl’s seasonal hiring initiative.

How to apply: Use Kohl’s seasonal job board, or text APPLY to 24508.

Wages: About $10, according to Glassdoor and Indeed.

FedEx: 70,000 Seasonal Jobs

FedEx expects this holiday season to be busier than most, resulting in a need for 27% more seasonal workers.

In a brief statement, FedEx announced it’s hiring 70,000 new workers ahead of the holidays, with a focus on FedEx Ground operations. It hired 55,000 last year.

FedEx Ground jobs primarily consist of general warehouse workers, forklift operators and package handlers, though the company’s job board shows many immediate openings in logistics and retail positions as well. Full- and part-time jobs are available.

According to job listings, if you work weekends as a package handler, you’ll get a $3-per-hour boost.

How to apply: Use FedEx’s online job board.

Wages: $13.50 to $22, based on Glassdoor estimates and job listings.

Shipt: 50,000 Seasonal Gigs

Shipt is at the intersection of two ballooning industries: delivery and grocery. The delivery-service app needs a horde of new grocery shoppers ahead of the winter holidays.

As a shopper, you will receive orders through the Shipt app. Using your own vehicle, you’ll drive to the grocery or convenience store, shop for the order and communicate with the customer for any substitutes and then deliver the haul to the customer’s doorstep.

No experience is required, though you will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, a reliable car and the ability to carry 40 pounds.

Shipt does not provide a minimum wage. Instead, pay is based on a per-order basis, not per-hour. Its website states that shoppers can earn up to $22 per hour, though that’s not realistic in all areas. According to self-reported wages from shoppers, it’s more likely you’ll make between $10 and $17 an hour.

Here’s a closer look at the 50,000 new shopping gigs at Shipt.

How to apply: Use Shipt’s online form or apply through the app.

Wages: $10 to $17, based on Glassdoor estimates. Up to $22 per hour.

Jackson Hewitt: 22,000 Seasonal Jobs (Remote Options)

The seasonal gigs aren’t limited to only e-commerce and retail. Another big recruiter this time of year is the tax-prep industry.

Jackson Hewitt frequently hires tens of thousands of seasonal workers each year. Its 22,000 seasonal openings are in line with previous hiring numbers.

The tax-preparation franchise has part- and full-time openings for two major positions: client support associate and tax preparer.

Tax preparer positions may require retail or customer-service experience and/or a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued by the IRS. Seasonal positions are otherwise open to candidates without a tax background.

This year, the company has remote openings, too. A spokesperson told The Penny Hoarder that the company is seeking more than 200 virtual call-center jobs.

Here’s a closer look at the seasonal tax jobs at Jackson Hewitt.

How to apply: Use Jackson Hewitt’s online career board to apply or visit your local franchise.
Wages: $10 to $11, according to Glassdoor.

Walmart: 20,000 Seasonal Jobs

Due to a surge in online orders spurred by the pandemic, Walmart expects to fill about 20,000 new seasonal roles at its e-commerce fulfillment centers.

Walmart has far fewer fulfillment centers than retail stores, which limits the hiring spree to a dozen states: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

Seasonal positions include freight loaders, order fillers and packers; and forklift, pallet-jack and other industrial equipment operators.

Walmart doesn’t have a company-wide minimum wage, but seasonal wages start at $15.75, according to its hiring announcement.

Walmart also stated that it’s continuously recruiting part- and full-time workers for permanent in-store roles.

Here’s a closer look at Walmart’s seasonal hiring efforts.

How to apply: View job descriptions and apply via Walmart’s seasonal job board — or by texting FC to 240240.

Wages: $15.75 to $23.75.

Michael’s: 16,000 Seasonal Jobs

This year, arts and crafts retailer Michael’s is focusing on staffing its stores to fulfill pick-up orders that are placed online. Its job portal indicates a demand for workers in retail sales, stocking, management and framing.

Seasonal employment at Michael’s has a high chance of turning permanent. The company said it retained the majority of seasonal workers it hired last year.

All Michael’s employees get a 30% discount.

How to apply: Use Michael’s career page to find seasonal jobs.

Wages: about $9 an hour, according to Glassdoor.

1-800-Flowers.com: 10,000 Seasonal Jobs (Remote Options)

Gourmet food and gift provider 1-800-Flowers.com is quadrupling its workforce with the recruitment of 10,000 seasonal workers. The parent company is also hiring at The Popcorn Factory, Cheryl’s Cookies, Harry & David and other brands.

Part-time and full-time seasonal gigs are available mostly in production, gift assembly, customer service, and distribution- and fulfillment-center operations.

The majority of the jobs are on-site in Illinois, Ohio and Oregon, but about 10% are available remotely. Chris McCann, the company’s CEO, told New York’s Newsday that 1,000 customer service positions will be home-based.

Employees receive company discounts, and some positions have signing bonuses.

How to apply: Use 1-800-Flowers’ seasonal job board for on-site and remote jobs.

Wages: $10 to $15, based on Glassdoor estimates and job listings.

Gap Inc.: At least 10,000 Seasonal Jobs (Remote Options)

Gap Inc. is bringing on seasonal workers in storefronts, contact centers and distribution centers, and some gigs are remote.

Gap Inc. is hiring at Gap storefronts as well as its sister brands Old Navy, Athletica, Janie and Jack, Banana Republic and Intermix. In-store jobs are mostly retail sales and stocking.

Distribution center positions include general warehouse workers and merchandise handlers. Professional technicians and other senior positions are available as well.

Contact centers comprise customer support, fraud and chat specialists and may be remote or on-site. Remote positions require at least a high school diploma and some customer service experience. In some cases, a bachelor’s degree and additional experience is required.

Gap’s hiring announcement didn’t include how many seasonal workers are needed. A spokesperson told The Penny Hoarder that the company is filling “more than 10,000” total seasonal jobs but did not specify how many are remote.

How to apply:  Use Gap’s seasonal job board.

Wages: $11 to $18, according to Glassdoor estimates.

DHL: 7,000 Seasonal Jobs

International shipping and logistics company DHL is no stranger to the surge in e-commerce. To meet that demand, it expects to recruit 7,000 seasonal workers in North America.

General warehouse workers, order pickers, material handlers and forklift operators represent most seasonal gigs. Most jobs are entry level. A high school diploma is required for some, and you may need to earn a forklift credential over the course of employment.

Depending on the job, you may need to complete a virtual job tryout during the application process. The tryout is a part job preview and part assessment.

Several listings mentioned an overtime requirement, and some positions are eligible for peak wage bonuses that boost pay up to $17.75 an hour.

How to apply: Use DHL’s online job board.

Wages: $14 to $17.75, according to Glassdoor and seasonal job listings.

Sitel: 6,000 Total Jobs (3,000 Remote)

Sitel, a global customer-service company, handles customer interactions for major companies in retail, health care, banking, insurance and several other industries. It has a slew of part-time, full-time and temporary openings in sales and customer service.

Of its 6,000 total openings across North America, Sitel told The Penny Hoarder that approximately half are remote positions available in 41 states. Sitel doesn’t hire remotely in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island or Washington.

On-site positions at contact centers are available primarily in Augusta, Georgia; Fishers, Indiana; Knoxville, Tennessee; Las Vegas, Nevada; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Pompano, Florida; and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, according to a hiring announcement.

Listings in the company’s job board suggest the initiative is focused on filling customer service representative and insurance sales agent positions. Both jobs are entry-level, though some experience is preferred. You’ll need to be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED to qualify.

Here’s a closer look at Sitel’s hiring spree.

How to apply: Use Sitel’s online job board and select Canada or the U.S. to find openings near you.

Wages: about $10 to $15 an hour, according to Glassdoor.

Best Buy: At Least 2,000 Seasonal Jobs

Best Buy is looking to hire sales and customer service agents, automobile installation technicians, distribution center workers and more.

The company mentioned it needs “thousands” of workers but didn’t provide a specific number.

All employees — including seasonal workers — are eligible for a 401(k) plan and employee discounts. Plus, this year, the company implemented a $15 minimum wage.

Best Buy’s seasonal positions are entry level. Some customer service experience is preferred.

For the automobile installation technicians openings, a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional credential is needed, but the program can be completed after onboarding. A valid driver’s license is also required.

Here’s a closer look at Best Buy’s seasonal recruitment blitz.

How to apply: Use Best Buy’s online job board, or text BBYJOBS to 97211.

Wages: $15 or more.

How to Keep That Job Once the Season Winds Down

Your holiday gig doesn’t have to have a hard end date. It’s possible to turn seasonal positions into permanent ones. Here’s how:

1. Treat the seasonal gig like an extended interview. Many seasonal employers promote internally, and your manager may already be drafting a short list of potential permanent candidates. If you approach the seasonal position as a pathway to a new job from the get-go, you’re sure to be on the top of the list.

2. Prove yourself. The temporary nature of seasonal gigs may tempt workers to not take them very seriously. Don’t fall into that trap. Basic attributes like a strong work ethic, punctuality and flexibility go a long way.

3. Ask your supervisor directly about staying on. Letting your boss know that you want to stay on is the most overt step you can take to secure a permanent position. Since seasonal jobs are fast-paced, consider asking your boss to chat for five or 10 minutes after your shift to avoid any awkward interruptions. Make this move at least a few weeks into your gig so you can point to your proven track record.

Adam Hardy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. He covers the gig economy, entrepreneurship and unique ways to make money. Read his ​latest articles here, or say hi on Twitter @hardyjournalism.