How to get yourself a seasonal job – John Lewis hiring 13,000+ Christmas staff

If you’re hoping to earn over Christmas, now’s the time to line up a seasonal job. John Lewis is hiring 13,700 people for Christmas roles as part of their biggest seasonal hiring drive yet.

A Christmas job can be a great way to soak up the festive buzz, gain valuable experience, and maybe even open the door to something more permanent.

If you’re interested, read on to find out what’s on offer and how to apply.

Where jobs are available

John Lewis Partnership includes John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, so there’s plenty of variety. Here’s the breakdown:

• 3,000 roles across 35 John Lewis stores
• 8,500 roles in Waitrose branches
• Around 2,200 roles in various warehouses and supply chain hubs

These roles cover everything from helping customers find the perfect gift to making sure online orders are dispatched on time.

How to land a John Lewis job

If a seasonal job sounds right up your alley, here’s how to apply.

• Head to the John Lewis Partnership Christmas Jobs site
• Browse the latest Christmas roles and click apply if anything takes your fancy
• Sign up for job alerts if there isn’t anything in your area just yet
• Apply early if you can; these jobs fill fast

How long do seasonal jobs last?

Most roles run through the last three months of the year, plus the January sales.

It’s going to get busy. John Lewis expects 30 million visitors in-store. But if you like fast-paced work and want to make a little extra cash, it’s perfect.

Tips to boost your chances of landing a seasonal job

Businesses all over the UK will be looking to hire seasonal staff in the run up to Christmas. Here are some ways to boost your chances if you’re looking for a festive job.

Don't wait

Check out vacancies now and apply before the rush. Sometimes, a job will close early if there’s too many applicants. 

Be proactive

Check job boards like Indeed, but also visit company websites, pop into local stores, and look out for job fairs. Some roles are advertised in shop windows.

Tailor your CV

Highlight customer service, teamwork, and reliability. No retail experience? Focus on transferable skills like communication and organisation.

Be flexible

Evenings, weekends, extra hours; if you’re open to these, say so. Flexibility is a big plus over Christmas.

Prepare for interviews

Learn a bit about the company, think about why you want the role, and practice common questions. Be well prepared and confident.

Stay positive

You might not land the first job you apply for. Keep going - persistence pays off eventually.