By Richard Banton

If you’re looking for a job, more than 200 seasonal positions have opened up across Northeast Georgia. The Georgia Department of Labor’s Career Center will host a job bair on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where 20 employers hope to recruit candidates.

Seasonal employment is temporary, often part-time work that increases around the holiday season when businesses need to beef up staffing to accommodate for increased demand. Most seasonal jobs involve retail, but shipping companies in the Athens area have a need for workers too. The biggest mistake is to wait until December to start applying. For many retailers, the holiday season starts after Halloween and lasts through early January. The most opportunities will be found at large discount retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart.

Employers look for applicants with a groomed appearance. If walking into a store to fill out an application, candidates need to wear business casual attire and bring a resume. Enthusiasm, while less tangible, is equally important to employers who know that workers will face an onslaught of customers.

Those looking to fill seasonal jobs should also be prepared to answer several questions in upcoming job interviews. Principally, candidates will need to demonstrate a track record of excellent customer service and the ability to multitask. According to Monster.com, job seekers must expect to work odd hours. Events such as Black Friday, in which stores stay open for 24 hours, means it vital to have a flexible work schedule.

The GDOL Job Fair will take place at the Athens Career Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.