All they want for Christmas is flexible hours and long-term prospects

Retailers looking to recruit temporary retail staff should start now, offering flexible working hours and the chance of work after January to attract the majority of potential candidates, according to new research from online recruitment expert fish4jobs which is published in a white paper called ëAll they want for ChristmasíÖ(visit www.fish4.co.uk/now/xmaswhitepaper to download for free)

Over half the respondents to the fish4jobs Christmas recruitment survey say they are already likely to be looking for work over Christmas, with most looking for a minimum of between 5 and 6 per hour.

Retailers offering little flexibility in the working hours on offer, with no chance of work after January, are least likely to appeal, say candidates.

ìThey say they enjoy working between November and January because theyíre busy and donít get bored, and because of the festive atmosphere in-store

How they find vacancies
ìThe survey tells us that most potential recruits use a mix of local paper adverts and online recruitment sites to source and apply for these vacancies,î says Sean Mahon, marketing director at fish4jobs. ëWe encourage recruiters to increase their advertising reach by using the mix of online and local press advertising that fish4 is uniquely placed to offer.î

To help recruiters analyse where their applications are coming from (ie. web, paper, phone, post or walk-in), and to help them manage prompt response, fish4jobs is currently trialling a software service supplied by AppVault. This easy-to-use online tool helps ensures large numbers of applications can be dealt with in a timely and cost-efficient way.

Weíll dress as Santa ñ if you treat us right
Respondents say that not being treated the same as permanent staff is the worst thing about working in stores over Christmas. Dealing with stressed-out shoppers is bugbear number 2.

One in five candidates say that the ubiquitous festive soundtrack is the most off-putting thing about working in stores.

Only seven per cent of potential staff had a problem with donning the Father Christmas suit.

Stores selling toys and gifts are the most desirable places to work, followed by clothing and fashion, luxury good and electrical items.

ìInterestingly, only seven per cent of respondents see working at Christmas as a pure money-making exercise,î says fish4jobsí Mahon. ìFor many, the festive atmosphere in-store and the opportunity for future work are the things which most attract them about retail employers.î

To download the white paper, ëAll they want for ChristmasÖí simply go to www.fish4.co.uk/now/xmaswhitepaper and you can access the document completely free of charge or email xmaswhitepaper@fish4.co.uk with your name, company name and telephone number and fish4 will email the document straight back to you.

Alternatively you can call Kork at fish4 on (0208) 600 7008 who will be delighted to help you.