It’s Christmas time; the season of giving gifts and massive profits for our local retailers is upon us. Because of the increased demand, stores are hiring seasonal help.

Here are a few terms and tips to help you with your job search.

Full-time jobs:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a full-time job schedules its employee for between 35 and 40 hours being the maximum, before they have to start shelling out overtime, which is 1.5 times your rate-per-hour worked post maximum. (So if your rate is $7.25, your overtime is $10.88 per hour.)

Part-time jobs:
A part-time job generally schedules its workers for less than 35 hours per week. If you are a part-time worker, you generally do not get health benefits. However, if you are a student who wants to save up for college while having most of your other needs taken care of, a part-time job is probably best for you. You can always discuss your hours with your managers or, if there’s the option, just write down your availability. Balancing school and work involves a lot of time management.

Temporary/Seasonal Jobs:
Basically, you work until the end of the season and then a few people will be picked to stay. Most places will tell you when they are letting you go. These are the most common sorts of jobs being offered at this time.

General tips:
If an application asks for a “salary range,” it’s OK to put a by-hour pay rate.
Retailers do have a union, but often discourage membership. If you are a fan of unions, it’s okay to sign on anyway. While your beliefs are important, your physical needs need to be met first.

These days, employers have been asking for pay stubs to verify how much you’ve made. If you are in a job interview and someone asks you to procure a pay stub, you might want to reconsider whether or not you want to work there.

According to salary.com, “An employer-employee relationship is based on trust and good faith. When a company asks you to produce a pay stub, it means they don’t believe you are making the amount of money you claim you are making; or they are trying to validate what someone in your position actually should make.”

The Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time or part-time employment. This has caused problems in how we evaluate unemployment and underemployment. If you want more information, visit the Department of Labor’s eLaws advisor. Also check the exemptions and other advice on their website. Know your rights, and most of all have fun.