2025 Holiday Job Market Trends

Author: Liz Frome

The key trends for the 2025 holiday job market are cautious hiring by employers, increased adoption of automation and AI, and strong demand for roles in e-commerce logistics and digital customer service.

Despite projections for strong consumer spending, the overall number of seasonal positions is expected to be lower than in previous years due to economic uncertainties and operational shifts. (This seems to be controversial as many retailers say they can’t find enough temporary employees. I do think it depends in the job market you live.)

Key Trends

• Softer Overall Hiring: Retailers and other companies are proceeding cautiously due to economic uncertainty, inflation, and high operating costs. Forecasts suggest the number of seasonal jobs added may be one of the lowest in over a decade. Many employers are delaying final staffing decisions, waiting to see how consumer demand plays out longer into the season.

• Shift to E-commerce & Logistics: The continued dominance of online shopping drives consistent demand for jobs in fulfillment centers, logistics, and delivery services, such as delivery drivers and warehouse workers. These "behind-the-scenes" roles are more stable than traditional in-store positions, which continue to decline.

• Impact of AI and Automation: Retailers are heavily investing in technology to boost efficiency, reducing the need for manual labor in areas like checkout and inventory management. This trend increases demand for workers with digital and technical skills, such as AI engineering and data analysis, while potentially limiting entry-level, low-skill opportunities.

• Skills-Based Hiring: Employers are increasingly shifting focus from traditional degree requirements to skills-based hiring, particularly in technology and finance sectors. This approach aims to address talent shortages by prioritizing candidates with specific, relevant skills, especially those related to new technologies.

• High Competition Among Job Seekers: A low hiring environment overall means more people are seeking the fewer available holiday positions. This has resulted in a surge in interest for holiday work on job sites, leading to high competition for each opening.

• Focus on Flexible Work and Competitive Pay: To attract and retain talent in a tight market for desirable roles, companies are enhancing their employee value proposition through competitive compensation and flexible work schedules. 

Advice for Job Seekers

• Start Early: Holiday hiring typically peaks in November, but starting your search ahead of time can give you an edge in a competitive market.

• Look Beyond Retail: Consider opportunities in sectors with high demand, such as logistics, food service, and healthcare, for a wider range of options.

• Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize skills in areas like digital customer service, data interpretation, and tech-supported interactions to match the evolving needs of employers.

• Network: Use your professional network to find unlisted opportunities, as some companies may fill roles internally or via referrals rather than public job postings

Reach out to The Job Shop as we will have temporary positions over the holidays.

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing" (Steve Jobs)