LF comments on seasonal jobs for The Sun

For seasonal work, reliability and availability can matter as much as previous experience. Employers need to know immediately which dates and shifts an applicant can cover, particularly evenings, weekends and the busiest days around Christmas.

Retail, hospitality, warehousing, events and customer service can all provide useful experience, but young people should not rely entirely on large job sites. Local independent businesses may advertise through their own websites, social media or shop windows, and a short, polite direct approach can make an applicant more memorable.

Apply early, tailor the application to the employer and keep the CV concise. State availability clearly, include examples showing punctuality, responsibility or dealing with people, and follow up once if there is no response. A seasonal role can also become permanent when someone proves dependable during the employer’s busiest period.

f you want a seasonal job, be strategic and plan well in advance. Applying in December for Christmas work is already too late; retailers and logistics firms open applications in August and September and largely fill roles by November, sometimes earlier. Summer hospitality runs the same way, hiring from November through February. The advantage goes to whoever moves first with a ready CV. Talk to your friends too, companies love referrals and not all roles get advertised. Treat the role as an audition once you're in. Employers often convert strong seasonal staff into permanent hires, or keep them on season to season, so flexibility over the busiest fortnight matters more than the CV.