“I was looking for anything at that point,” she said.
A month later, she became a full-time employee.
“Once the school year started, they needed some boots on the ground in the position ASAP,” Armitage said. “I call it the longest work interview ever. But it gave me a chance to get to know the team.”
For job seekers, standing out in this brutal job market is difficult. A seasonal gig can be a side door to full-time work.
Although it’s tough to get a solid take on the job market since the government shutdown has halted the release of the US Department of Labor’s monthly employment reports, by most accounts, it’s not pretty out there for job seekers.
“Employment is expected to further weaken in the fourth quarter and post extremely subdued gains in 2026,” according to Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG. “The economy is powering forward, aided by a boom in AI … without generating many jobs.”
Per Swonk, we are in the midst of “a jobless boom.” It’s fueled by factors such as cuts to the federal workforce, federal funding freezes, tariffs, and curbs to immigration.
However, grabbing hold of a short-term contract or seasonal position can provide a potential pathway for frustrated job seekers.
Muted hiring this season
Before you get too amped up about this year’s seasonal openings, keep this in mind: Hiring announcements from US employers have been limited so far, with only a handful of companies making public commitments to holiday staffing, according to job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The firm is projecting the smallest seasonal gain in retail hiring since the 2009 recession.
“Seasonal employers are facing a confluence of factors this year: tariffs loom, inflationary pressures linger, and many companies continue to rely on automation and permanent staff instead of large waves of seasonal hires,” Andy Challenger, Challenger, Gray & Christmas’s vice-president, said in a statement.
“While we could see a late hiring push if holiday sales surprise to the upside, the cautious pace of announcements so far suggests that companies are not betting on a big seasonal surge,” he said.
Historically, postings for holiday seasonal contract workers start ramping up in September and peak in November.
The advantages of saying yes to a temporary job
“In this market, staying engaged and visible is key,” Leanne Rodd, chief talent officer at recruiting firm FlexProfessionals, said. “Taking a project or contract opportunity that genuinely fits your skills and interests can be a powerful way to demonstrate value, build relationships, and keep your job search momentum going.”
You never know where unexpected opportunities can lead.
“Even if a contract role doesn’t lead to permanent employment, the value of an expanded network and new skill development remains,” Rodd said. “Especially in a cautious hiring climate, this kind of arrangement lets both the job seeker and hiring team test the waters without compromising on quality or commitment.”
For Armitage, the combination of her background in project management and administrative work made the fit work. As an undergraduate, she had also worked at the university she attended. “I played that previous university experience as a strength,” she said.
During hectic times of the year — certainly, the holiday shopping season — jobs are posted to carry companies through the uptick in demand.
But you need to keep an open mind. Although she was looking for a hybrid position where she could work remotely some weekdays, Armitage is fully in person. The fact that she was willing to do that gave her a leg up, she said.
Her shift from contract work to a permanent position is not an anomaly.
Roughly 1 in 4 of FlexProfessionals contract placements converted to direct hires last year, often because both sides discovered a great match after they had the chance to work together.
Advice for seasonal job seekers
For retail jobs or restaurants, stop by in person at an off-peak time and ask to talk to the manager or assistant manager. Be clear that you’re available to work odd hours and are flexible to be on-site when a peak swell arrives unexpectedly and they need an extra hand.
Your enthusiasm, particularly if you are already a customer, can go a long way to getting you in the door and helping you stay there postseason.
Showing your curiosity and interest in the employer and the field can set you up for a future role. Previous experience helps, but it’s not a must when seasonal demand surges.
“A seasonal job will expose you to people that you might not have met, and you never know where a job opportunity will emerge,” Career Coach Jayne Mattson said.
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