5 tips for getting a holiday job

1. Be flexible: The more availability in your schedule, the more likely you are to get the job.

2. In person: Take your resume directly to the employer. Seeing you face-to-face is more memorable.

3. Follow up: Call and check in on your application. It's a busy time and employers might need a little reminder. Plus it shows you're persistent.

4. Start early: Training for holiday jobs often starts before the holidays so start looking early.

5. Stick with it: If you do well this year, you're likely to nail down an annual holiday position. Security means a lot these days.

Source: Dawn Saurwein, owner of PlayFair Toys

Thanksgiving break is not just a chance for students to relax and take a break from school.

It is also a time when many students get caught up on homework, start studying for finals or nail down a job for winter break.

Some University of Colorado students are taking advantage of their week off and preparing for their upcoming winter break, which will consist of full-time jobs with very little "break" this year.

CU senior Kaile Wilson is using this week to get in some ski time at Beaver Creek with her family in her hometown, Avon. But it's not all fun and games for Wilson. She's getting ready for a packed winter break working as a ski instructor in hopes of paying off a few bills.

Wilson has been teaching 7- to 14-year-olds how to ski at Beaver Creek since high school. But now it's more than just some spending money that Wilson is hoping to earn.

"I work two jobs during the school year in Boulder, but I get so many more hours doing this during the breaks," Wilson said. "It really helps with the bills and gets me caught up on rent and necessities before the spring semester starts."

Wilson said she's lucky because it's a fun job that allows her to go home and spend some time with her family while still earning the money she needs.

Wilson said she takes advantage of the days off from school as much as she can, working on Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day and over spring break to keep her bank account afloat.

Many local businesses have already started hiring for the holiday season, which for many of them begins Friday -- the busiest shopping day of the year.

Dawn Saurwein, owner of PlayFair Toys in Boulder, said she started training seasonal employees at the beginning of November in hopes of preparing them for a busy couple of months.

Saurwein said she looks for employees with a flexible schedule that allows them to work during the holidays.

"What's the point in hiring a seasonal employee who can't work during the holidays?" Saurwein said. "November and December trump every other month of the year, so seasonal employees are necessary to help maintain the holiday rush."

But some students aren't looking at local businesses for holiday cash.

CU senior Benjamin Krudwig started his own business selling hand-made crochet items online. And for him, Thanksgiving break is the perfect time to prepare for the winter rush.

"December is always my busiest time of year," Krudwig said. "I'll be crocheting as much as I can, anywhere I can this week."

Krudwig said the hats, scarves and stuffed animals he makes can take up to five hours each, making a week off invaluable for the success of his busy business.

Since he has the convenience of working from home or anywhere else he wants, Krudwig will still get to spend time with family over the break, but his main focus will be stocking up on inventory.

"I'm expecting it to get pretty busy soon so hopefully I'll have some items stocked up and ready to ship when I start getting orders," Krudwig said.

CU junior Derrek Eldredge said it was easier for him to pick up some extra hours during the breaks at a job that he works all year as a cash manager for concessions at the Denver Zoo.

"I'll be doing the same thing I do every weekend, I'll just be doing more of it," Eldredge said.

Eldredge has been working with the same company for six years and said it's nice not to have to train for a new job during the holidays.

"I try to take advantage of the hours I can work over the breaks and save up as much cash as I can since I typically only work weekends during the semester," Eldredge said.

All three students recommend getting a job that's fun during the holidays. They said it takes the stress off having to work during the break and has more potential to turn into a great reference or an extended position.