Holiday Hiring Is Starting Strong—but Big Employers Are Shifting to Part-Time Roles
Indeed reported seasonal job postings were up 10% year over year as of September 30, but large employers are labeling fewer openings seasonal and more as regular part-time work. Here’s how applicants can adjust their job
What changed in holiday hiring this year
Holiday job postings are running ahead of last year, but the mix of roles may be changing. In its October 18, 2026 coverage, TheStreet reported that Indeed seasonal postings were about 10% higher year over year and 7% above 2019 as of September 30. That points to a strong start for 2026 holiday hiring overall—not a guarantee that every posting will result in a hire.
At the same time, Indeed Hiring Lab’s October 15 analysis found a different pattern among a group of large employers: the share of postings explicitly labeled seasonal fell from 34% to 20% year over year, while regular part-time postings rose 38%. These figures describe job postings, not confirmed hiring plans across every retailer, and a part-time position is not necessarily permanent.
Why applicants should widen their search
Search for both “seasonal” and “part-time” openings. Some employers may list holiday work without using a seasonal label, so limiting a search to temporary or seasonal keywords could miss relevant roles. Check employer career pages as well as job boards, and apply promptly when a suitable opening appears.
Look beyond sales-floor work, too. Seasonal listings can include customer service, loading, stocking, fulfillment, and delivery roles. Before accepting an offer, ask what days and hours the schedule requires, whether hours may vary, when the job is expected to end, and whether the employer considers temporary workers for ongoing roles. Treat a part-time label as a description of the job type—not a promise of year-round hours or conversion to permanent employment.
What to Highlight on a Seasonal-Job Resume
For retail and customer-facing openings, move relevant experience near the top: customer service, cashiering, sales-floor work, or handling busy periods. For stocking, fulfillment, warehouse, and delivery roles, emphasize experience with inventory, order picking, packing, or deliveries. Match the wording to the actual posting so employers can quickly see how your background fits the work.
Show reliability and pace with concrete details when they are accurate—for example, strong attendance, experience working flexible shifts, order accuracy, or the volume of customers or orders you handled. Avoid claims you cannot support. State your availability clearly, including any limits on days or hours, and tailor your skills to the role rather than sending the same resume unchanged for every opening.
Apply Now, and Verify the Terms Before Accepting
Timing matters: Indeed Hiring Lab’s October 15, 2026 report says seasonal postings typically rise from mid-September through mid-November and advises applicants to start early. That makes October a useful time to search both jobs labeled seasonal and regular part-time openings that may offer holiday work.
Macy’s, Inc. listed a nationwide hiring event for Thursday, October 22, 2026, with on-the-spot interviews and offers. Check the company’s location details and current openings before making plans. When an employer makes an offer, ask about expected weekly hours, scheduling, pay, and the role’s expected end date. Also ask whether seasonal employees may be considered for longer-term openings; do not assume a temporary job will continue after the holidays.
What Job Seekers Should Do Next
- Search for both seasonal listings and regular part-time roles, using terms such as retail, customer service, stocking, fulfillment, warehouse, and delivery.
- Update your resume to put the most relevant experience and accurate examples of reliability or work pace near the top.
- State your availability clearly and tailor your resume to each posting.
- Apply promptly, and check employer career pages for current openings and location-specific details.
- Before accepting, confirm expected hours, schedule, pay, end date, and whether seasonal workers can be considered for longer-term roles.
Sources
- Christmas jobs 2026: Who’s hiring for the holidays and what’s changed (TheStreet, 2026-10-18)
- Seasonal Hiring Is Off to a Fast Start, With an Eye Toward 2027 (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2026-10-15)
- Macy’s, Inc. Hiring Nationwide to Create a Season of Celebration (Macy’s, Inc., 2026-09-24)