THE annual festive hiring spree is officially in full swing, with another 40,000 Christmas temp jobs up for grabs this week.

Seasonal positions are a great way to test out different sectors and to see if it’s an area you would like work in longer term.

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Taking on an unconventional temp job will help you develop a new skillset, build your network and make your CV stand out when you apply for jobs in the future.

This week Sunemployment brings you some of the most unusual festive jobs on offer . . .

Warwick Castle needs 15 ice rink hosts and two ice rink team leaders. Apply at ­merlincareers.com.

Posh baker Cutter & Squidge has just launched in John Lewis and is hiring 30 more staff to meet demand for luxury Christmas hampers and cakes.

Co-founder Emily Lui said: “We hire on a combination of positive attitude and energy rather than a whole host of qualifications.

“Oh, and a love of cake also goes a long way too!”

Apply at cutterandsquidge.com.

Have you got what it takes to work in a Christmas grotto?

Great Grottos is recruiting for elves, grotto managers and Santas at greatgrottos.co.uk.

Full training is given but Santas must be aged at least 28. Full and part-time positions available and wages are paid every fortnight.

If you’re a dab hand at ensuring presents look perfect, most major department stores are searching for in-store Christmas gift wrappers.

See jobsearch.selfridges.com, harrodscareers.com and janemeans.com/pages/gift-wrapping-jobs.

Love a Christmas selection box? Then apply to Cadbury World.

The Birmingham attraction is hiring six retail hosts to refill shelves and help on the tills, plus 13 chocolate demonstrators, with the possibility of a permanent job.

Carmen Martin-Smith joined Cadbury World as a festive chocolate-making temp and now works as a permanent chocolate creator.

Carmen, 32, from King’s Norton, Birmingham, said: “I didn’t know a chocolate creator was even a career choice until I started at Cadbury World.

“It’s not like any other job. I love getting creative and I even train new colleagues how to make the handmade items.

“I only have to say my job title is Cadbury World chocolate creator and people are always interested in what it involves.

“If you are thinking of applying for an unusual Christmas job I would say definitely, give it a go.

“Plus, I get to work with chocolate every day, and who wouldn’t want that?”

Gerrard Baldwin, general manager at Cadbury World, said: “Our colleagues play such an important role in delivering the magic of Christmas.”

A SUPER ROLE FOR TEMPS

FOR a super seasonal job, try your local supermarket.

They are among the biggest recruiters of festive temp staff, and this year Tesco is taking on 26,000 Christmas helpers.

Positions are available in the retail giant’s superstores and Extra shops, packing for online deliveries and in store replenishment.

Alexandra Brown, group people services director, said: “We’re looking for people who enjoy working as part of a team and are prepared to go that extra mile to help our customers.”

Jay Styles started as a festive temp but is now a permanent staff member on the checkouts at Tesco’s Hednesford store, in Cannock Chase, Staffs.

Jay said: “Growing up with autism, I found socialising really difficult and never fitted in. I also suffered from low self-esteem and confidence.

“Once I started working at Tesco I felt my confidence grow and I have much more faith in my abilities.

“I was made permanent after my role as a Christmas festive colleague and received great feedback from customers.

“I always feel supported by Tesco and the management team and would highly recommend Tesco as a great place to work.”

Apply at tesco-careers.com/festive.

ALDI is hiring 3,500 store staff at aldirecruitment.co.uk, with pay rates from £12.40 per hour.

MORRISONS needs 3,000 extra people to work across its stores, food manufacturing sites and logistics operations. See morrisons.jobs. 

The Co-op also needs 400 new staff. See jobs.coop.co.uk.

IT’S NOT JUST FOR XMAS…

EACH year, around one in five festive temps gets an extra present in the shape of a permanent job at their Christmas employer.

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If you’d like to turn your seasonal post into a serious career, try this Santa’s sackful of tips, from Department for Work and Pensions work coaches.

ASK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES: Enjoying your job? Let your manager know you are keen to stay on with the company. If you see a suitable vacancy, apply while you are still working there.

HAVE A CAN-DO ATTITUDE: Approach every task with positivity. Even when the role may be difficult, show determination to get it done well.

BE A TEAM PLAYER: Consider what tasks need to be done by your department and how you can add value.

BE PROACTIVE: When you have finished a task, ask your manager or colleagues if there is anything else you can do to help.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK: Requesting this from your colleagues and your manager will show you have a desire to improve and that you are thinking long-term on how you can develop personally but also within the team.

SHOW YOUR POTENTIAL: Ask if you can shadow colleagues in departments of interest and use it as a work experience exercise.

GET PARCELS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO

IT’S not just Father Christmas who busily needs helpers at this time of year.

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Logistics firms have thousands of jobs on offer to deliver gifts and parcels across the nation.

DPD is taking on 200 warehouse operatives and drivers (3.5t, 7.5t and Class 1), on fixed-term contracts. See jobs.dpd.co.uk.

There are also 1,000 jobs for self-employed, permanent owner drivers at drivers.dpd.co.uk/apply.

GXO needs 1,500 staff, including warehouse operatives, forklift and HGV drivers. See jobs.gxo.com. Eddie Stobart has more than 100 driver vacancies.

Email your CV to careers@eddiestobart.com.

EVRI needs 5,000 self-employed couriers, with working patterns right across the seven days of the week.

Gary Robinson, director of couriers, said: “As we head into our busiest time of year, we have lots of vacancies for those seeking a role that puts them in control of setting their own workload, with opportunities spanning beyond Christmas.”

See beacourier.co.uk.