The Toronto Star reports seasonal holiday jobs are heating up this year. The volume of seasonal employment went up by 28% from last year’s numbers and 40% from 2019. They quote data from Indeed, stating, “Employers may have a tougher time hiring temporary workers this upcoming holiday season as the growth in job postings compared to pre-pandemic outweighs those looking.” That’s good news if you are looking for seasonal work in Ontario—or anywhere else. 

Seasonal holiday job seekers this year are in the driver’s seat, with employers desperate to fill positions. If you’re thinking about seasonal work in Ontario, now is the time. But what does “seasonal” mean? Are all the jobs in retail stores, or can you get seasonal warehouse jobs? This article will help you understand the benefits of seasonal work and prepare you for the ins and outs of stepping into one. Whether you’re looking for more experience or extra money, here’s what you need to know about seasonal work in Ontario. 

What is a Seasonal Job?

Let’s answer what may be your most obvious question: What is a seasonal job? Seasonal holiday jobs are temporary work that occurs around the same time each year. For example, seasonal warehouse jobs ramp up around the major holidays where gift-giving is a tradition. There are seasonal jobs for snowplow drivers, and retail workers, landscapers, and cashiers.  

People work with temp agencies in Toronto for all kinds of reasons. These positions are a great way to earn extra cash by picking up shifts while the kids are in school. College students may find a seasonal job in the summer. Seasonal holiday jobs this year are great for retirees or anyone who doesn’t want to be tied down to a full-time position. 

Some of the types of seasonal jobs include: 

• Tourism jobs related to holiday traveling or even seasonal sports like ice skating and skiing. 
• Retail stores are the “typical” job that most people think of when considering seasonal work in Ontario. 
• Food delivery may need help during the holiday season, when people are entertaining or when travel is difficult. 

If you don’t want to work in these kinds of positions, there may be a better option. One of the areas in particular need of seasonal workers is the warehouse industry. HCR specializes in matching candidates to seasonal warehouse jobs that offer great pay to help build up your income quickly during the busy holiday season. 

What are the benefits of this type of seasonal work in Ontario this year? Why are more Canadians picking up these part-time temporary positions? There are lots of benefits of these supplemental jobs, but there are some particularly great perks of seasonal warehouse jobs. 

Benefits of Seasonal Warehouse Jobs

A seasonal warehouse job is a great option not only if you want to earn great pay quickly, it’s a recession-proof industry to start your career. The facts about the warehouse industry are: 

• This industry is expanding even as e-commerce spending grows. 
• Entry-level roles offer massive room for advancement even into supervisory positions. 
• Most warehouses like to promote from within, giving you a chance for steady advancement. 
• There are scheduling options that range from day, nights, swing shifts, or weekends. 
• There are a variety of jobs within a warehouse setting. 

What are the potential benefits for you and your family If you decide to pursue a seasonal warehouse job? 

#1 Pay Off Holiday Debt with Seasonal Work

Canadian household budgets are struggling this year, with increasing costs for just about everything. Interest rates are higher, and many people struggle just to make their rent or mortgage. Then there’s holiday spending, which will put more stress on our wallets this year. One-half of Canadians consider themselves financially insecure.  

Could the answer be seasonal work in Ontario? Seasonal warehouse jobs offer you a way to pay off your holiday debt with the extra money you’ll earn. Picking up a temporary job means you’ll earn extra money to apply to your emergency fund or pay off a credit card. Maybe you want to plan for a future vacation. No matter your financial goals, seasonal holiday jobs help you get there.

#2 Leverage a Flexible Schedule During the Holidays

You can’t discount the flexibility of seasonal warehouse jobs. If you’re a parent trying to balance family responsibilities, a college student on winter break, or fully employed with a day job, warehouse positions offer enormous schedule flexibility. Warehouses typically increase production during the holidays, and many even run 24/7. That means there are plenty of scheduling options to fit your lifestyle. 

#3 Break into the Warehouse Industry Faster with Temp Work

We’ve already talked about how the warehouse industry offers lucrative, long-lasting job opportunities for people seeking job stability and room for advancement. Taking a seasonal warehouse job means you get an opportunity to “try it before you buy it.” If you like the job, you could have the option of going full-time. Or, perhaps you want to come back next year and take on more seasonal work in the same Ontario warehouse you chose last year. That’s an option, too. The point here is that a seasonal holiday job in a warehouse setting gives you options for your future that you didn’t have before.  

#4 Holiday Jobs Can Lead to Permanent Employment

Temp agencies in Toronto are full of stories about seasonal holiday jobs that turned into full-time employment. Full-time warehouse jobs pay great money and offer solid benefits for you and your family. It’s steady work that you won’t have to take home with you after you leave for the day. Unlike other jobs where the work piles up, and you take it home on the weekends, warehouse workers do their shift, go home, and enjoy their life. That’s not a bad thing at all if you want to transition from a temp job to something full-time someday. But you can’t get there if you don’t start with a seasonal warehouse job. 

Types of Seasonal Jobs for Warehouse Workers

If you’re intrigued by the possibilities found in a seasonal warehouse job, you’ve come to the right place. HCR has dozens of these jobs just waiting for you. But you may be wondering what kind of work will you do on the ground in a warehouse setting. Some of the most common seasonal warehouse jobs we offer include: 

• Forklift drivers 
• Line workers 
• Assemblers and shippers 

What happens in these roles? Do you need special skills? 

Forklift Operators

Forklift operators are critically important to any warehouse. These are some of the best paying jobs because it takes some skill to handle these machines safely. Forklift drivers have a big job and they must be highly responsible for the safety of themselves and their co-workers in a fast-paced, busy environment. 

Forklift drivers provide the mechanized muscle for moving stored inventory to and from trucks. That inventory has to be held in the warehouse and moved; humans cannot do so without the forklift operator. If you’re certified as a forklift operator, you’ll have your pick of high-paying jobs this season. If you haven’t been certified, talk with our team—companies may be willing to train you. 

Production Workers

Production workers are the heart of the warehouse. They’re also known as stock associates or even general labourers. A production worker is a very important role because this employee ensures that inventory is labeled correctly and then pick and pack items to fulfill orders. A seasonal warehouse worker in a production setting may help with unloading and tagging inventory. They’ll work with the forklift operator to move materials to the right places in the warehouse. These roles are highly in demand but often entry-level, making them the perfect seasonal holiday job that is interesting and lucrative. You must have good attention to detail and be comfortable moving around and standing for this job to be a good fit.  

Shippers & Assemblers

Shipping and receiving associates are particularly in demand for e-commerce fulfillment warehouses. There is plenty of work to go around during the busy holiday season, so if you’re interested in this position, talk to us today! Some smaller companies combine the shipper and assembler jobs into one role, while others break it apart into two jobs. Basically, the job entails grabbing the items that need shipped and preparing them for shipping. You may pick and pack an order and then scan everything into a computerized system. You may also be on the receiving end of shipments as they come into a warehouse. Shippers and assemblers inspect the products in shipments for damage and breakage or spot missing parts. Employees must be motivated and engaged in the job to do it well. Efficiency is also important. This is a particularly fun job because the shift goes very quickly in this kind of fast-paced environment.
 

Find Seasonal Warehouse Jobs in Southern Ontario with HCR

Are you ready to get started? HCR is the leader in temp agencies in Toronto specializing in seasonal warehouse jobs. We match candidates just like you to the best jobs in the province. Talk with our team today about picking up a seasonal warehouse job. We can get you hired.

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