Record job search surge meets weak holiday hiring across the UK and other countries.
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WITH Halloween just a few days away, and the Christmas season approaching fast, job searching platform Indeed has released statistics on seasonal job searches: interest in holiday jobs is spiking considerably, but finding one is becoming more and more difficult. The searches for seasonal positions are the highest they have been since Indeed began their records in 2018.
Seasonal searches spike, but opportunities dwindle
According to Indeed, general searches for seasonal jobs are up 27 per cent at the end of September compared to 2024, and 50 per cent above the levels they were at in 2023, whereas the number of job postings have increased by just a meagre 2.7 per cent. Just 2.1 per cent of seasonal job postings mentioned they were urgently hiring, down from 10 per cent in 2021 amid the post-pandemic job market boom.
The UK: slightly better off, but still scrambling for extra income
In the UK, for example, searches for Christmas jobs made up 0.8 per cent of all searches on Indeed’s UK site on October 3, up from 0.62 per cent in 2024 and representing a 29 per cent increase overall. However, the UK is doing better than other countries when it comes to seasonal job opportunities: as of the same date, 0.58 per cent of all jobs posted on Indeed in the UK were holiday posts, up from 0.5 per cent in 2024. This is a 16 per cent increase year-on-year.
Retail jobs top the list for seasonal opportunities
Retail jobs are currently at the top of the market when it comes to seasonal hires: 63 per cent of seasonal jobs on September 30, 2025, fell into the retail sphere. (This number is in alignment with past years, as retail jobs typically take up two-thirds of seasonal opportunities). These types of jobs can be key for unemployed citizens looking to get back into the job market. However, the fewer requirements a job posting has for its applicants, the tougher the competition, and many applicants looking for a seasonal job are having no luck whatsoever.
In the UK, the top 10 Christmas job titles also contain a considerable number of retail positions, including seasonal associate, sales assistant, and retail sales associate.
Other seasonal opportunities include positions in sales, hospitality, driving, loading and stocking, and food preparation and service. The availability of jobs can also depend on whether the job searcher is looking for a part-time or full-time position.
The holiday job market: more competitive year-on-year
Moreover, the very modest number of job postings may be a sign that the job market currently stands at a serious supply and demand imbalance, as well as a decreased employer urgency. Attracting workers was considerably more difficult for companies as recently as 2021.
“This holiday hiring season will likely be highly competitive for job seekers, with fewer positions available and increased worker interest,” said Cory Stahle, a senior economist with Indeed, in a post analysing Indeed’s statistics.
The UK labour market remains weak, according to Indeed and the Office for National Statistics. According to the latter, the unemployment rate for people in the UK aged 16 years and older totalled 4.8 per cent in the three months to August 2025. This is up from 4.7 per cent in July of 2025.
Job searchers trying to get ahead of the curve
The surge in job searches will be unsurprising to many; the holiday season, while it brings cheer, togetherness, and celebrations, also comes with considerable costs, and in many places where the cost of living has spiked in recent years including in the UK, many are left scrambling for a second or third stream of income.
Job searchers, according to the statistics, have also been applying for positions earlier and earlier year-on-year, trying to get ahead of the competition. Searches for seasonal positions have shown to rise gradually from August through October, and ramp up considerably in November. This year, the surge took place as early as the end of September.
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