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Christmas temp job CV: what to put on it, with a template
Seasonal jobs in retail, warehouses and hospitality fill fast. A short, focused CV that shows you are available, reliable and good with people gives you the best chance. Here is what to include and a template to copy.
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7 things to get right
- Keep it to one page. Seasonal hiring managers read a lot of CVs quickly. One page with clear headings is easier to say yes to than two pages of everything you have ever done.
- Put your availability near the top. Say exactly when you can work: start date, days, evenings, weekends, and whether you can do Black Friday, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. For temp roles this is often the first thing checked.
- Write a two-line profile aimed at the job. For example: "Reliable, friendly and quick to learn, looking for a Christmas role in retail. Happy to work weekends and late shifts through December."
- List experience that shows the right skills. Paid jobs, volunteering, school or college roles, and helping in a family business all count. Use short bullet points that start with a verb: served, packed, stocked, handled cash.
- Add the skills seasonal roles need. Customer service, working fast under pressure, teamwork, cash handling, stock rotation, picking and packing, food hygiene. Only list what you can back up with an example.
- Include practical details. Right to work in the UK, a driving licence or forklift ticket if relevant, a food hygiene certificate, and how far you can travel. These can tip a decision.
- Finish with references or a simple line. Two references with permission, or "References available on request". Then check your phone number and email twice.
Template you can copy
Swap the brackets for your own details and delete any section you don’t need.
[Full name] [Town] · [Mobile] · [Email] AVAILABILITY Available from [date] until [date]. Can work [days / evenings / weekends], including Black Friday and Christmas week. PROFILE [Two lines: who you are, what role you want, why you are reliable.] EXPERIENCE [Job title], [Employer], [Month Year to Month Year] - [Verb + what you did + result, e.g. Served up to 100 customers a shift on a busy till] - [Verb + what you did] SKILLS Customer service · Cash handling · Stock and replenishment · Teamwork · [Any certificate] EDUCATION [School / college], [Qualifications], [Year] Right to work in the UK. References available on request.
Tailor it to the type of job
- Retail: lead with customer service, tills, stock and staying calm when it’s busy.
- Warehouse and delivery: lead with picking and packing, accuracy, physical stamina, shift flexibility and any licences.
- Hospitality: lead with serving, food hygiene, speed and working late or split shifts.
Mistakes that cost interviews
- Leaving out your availability.
- A generic profile that could be for any job.
- Spelling mistakes or an old phone number.
- Two or three pages for a temp role.
- Sending the same CV to a warehouse and a restaurant.
Related guides: CV with no experience, cover letters and tracking job applications.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I apply for Christmas temp jobs?
- Many larger retailers and warehouses recruit from September to early November, while smaller shops, pubs and hospitality venues often keep hiring into December. Applying early gives you the widest choice.
- Do I need a CV for a seasonal job?
- Not always, since some big employers use online forms only. Smaller shops, pubs and agencies usually ask for one, and having it ready lets you copy details into forms quickly.
- Can a Christmas temp job turn permanent?
- It sometimes does. Employers often keep reliable seasonal staff on into January, so mention on your CV and at interview if you would like to stay on.
- What if I have no work experience?
- Use school, college, volunteering, sports teams or helping family. Our guide to writing a CV with no experience shows how to turn those into bullet points.
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