At a Glance
- Tasks: Spread Christmas cheer by welcoming visitors and helping them meet Santa.
- Company: Join Dobbies, a festive and fun-loving garden centre with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous discounts, annual leave, and access to financial wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible hours, team spirit, and potential for permanent roles after the season.
- Why this job: Be part of the magic this festive season and create unforgettable memories for families.
- Qualifications: Must be 16+, cheerful, and ready to connect with people of all ages.
The predicted salary is between 9.9 - 12.1 £ per hour.
‘Tis the season for greeting, giving and gift lists a mile long. From greeting little ones, keeping Santa's diary running smoothly and making sure every visit feels like magic. If you love Christmas, love people, and have a smile that can charm a queue of both children and parents alike, we'd love for you to join our team and help bring a smile this festive season at Dobbies.
Responsibilities
- Deliver Christmas magic by working as one team to make every visit feel like a moment straight from the North Pole.
- Jingle all the way through the grotto as you welcome excited visitors, sprinkle a bit of Elf magic and help them meet Santa in the most magical way possible.
- Help manage timings so every family gets a great experience without long waits.
- Bring festive fun to the breakfast table as you entertain families with giggles, games and a sprinkle of North Pole mischief while they enjoy their morning with Santa.
- At our special Santa Paws events, you will also help treat our four-legged visitors to a magical moment with Santa, wagging tails, and all.
- Help keep our Grottos clean, tidy and stocked; ready to welcome everyone.
- Helping issue photos through our machines capturing the experience.
- Work closely with the wider team (and Santa!) to keep the Christmas magic alive, even on the busiest days.
Who we are looking for
- Cheerful Elves who are bursting with Christmas spirit.
- Full of energy, kindness and just the right amount of charming mischief.
- A natural at connecting with people of all ages: from wide-eyed Toddlers to merry grandparents (and everyone in between).
- A true team player, comfortable in a fast-paced, customer service role: building great relationships, spreading positivity and always ready to celebrate the magic of a job well done.
- Punctual and reliable: arriving on time, looking the part, and bringing a can-do attitude, a strong work ethic and plenty of Christmas cheer with you each day.
- Previous customer service, retail, hospitality, childcare or performance experience is a bonus, though not essential.
- Able to always demonstrate our values: We're one team, getting better every day; We bring a smile; We make it work for our customers.
Essential Requirements
- Must be 16 years or over when applying.
- A Basic DBS check (England, Wales & NI) to be completed before your start date (we'll guide you through this and DBS costs are expensed to us).
- Right to work in the UK.
- Willingness to attend a short induction/training session before the grotto opens.
Start/End Dates
- Start Date from 16th November.
- End Date 24th December.
- If you are interested in staying with the team as a permanent Customer Advisor, this will depend on role availability in Dec/Jan.
What we offer
- Generous annual leave entitlement. Use your holidays when you want with limited statutory days off required.
- Treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls.
- Access to Wagestream: support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for future and financial advice.
- Access to Retail Trust: seek confidential support, access to a virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform.
- Access to Dobbies Academy: continue your development with our eLearning platform and seasonal sessions like Santa School & North Pole Academy.
- Thriving culture: the Dobbies team are passionate, diverse and committed to making it work for our customers.
About Us
At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK. Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all-year-round. Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for. We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.
Reminder: A clear DBS check is a condition of employment and inability to complete the check or results in a unclear/contains information result, may conclude in withdrawal offer of employment.
Elf (Seasonal) - England, Wales & NI in Stockton-on-Tees employer: Dobbies Stockton
At Dobbies, we believe in creating a magical experience for families during the festive season, and as a Father Christmas, you'll be at the heart of this joy. Our supportive work culture fosters personal growth, with opportunities for training and development through initiatives like Santa School, while our generous benefits, including uncapped discounts and access to financial wellbeing resources, ensure you feel valued and appreciated. Join us in a role that not only brings smiles to children and adults alike but also allows you to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making every visit unforgettable.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Elf (Seasonal) - England, Wales & NI in Stockton-on-Tees
✨Hit the Ground Running with Seasonal Hiring!
Many customer support roles, especially seasonal ones, ramp up around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for hiring fairs or open days in your area. Local businesses often need a boost during peak times, so don’t hesitate to drop in and chat directly with the team at places like Dobbies Stockton.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities focused on customer support, like forums or social media groups. This is a fantastic way to connect with others in the field, learn about unadvertised roles, and share experiences. Plus, you never know when a connection might lead to an opportunity at places like Dobbies Stockton.
✨Show Off Your Skills!
Since you're targeting a seasonal role, create a quick online portfolio showcasing your customer support skills. Whether it’s resolving customer queries, handling difficult conversations, or just general customer engagement – put it all out there! Make sure to share the link when you apply to Dobbies Stockton.
✨Be Prepared for the Busy Season
You know seasonal work can get intense, so brush up on common customer queries and best practices before interviews. When you’re prepared to talk about handling high-stress situations, it shows you’re ready to step in during the crunch periods. This is likely to impress the team at Dobbies Stockton!
We think you need these skills to ace Elf (Seasonal) - England, Wales & NI in Stockton-on-Tees
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Support Skills:In your CV, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in customer support or related fields. This could include resolving customer issues, handling complaints, or even just being a go-to person for friends and family. Use specific examples that demonstrate your capability to help others effectively—the more relatable, the better!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm:For a seasonal role at Dobbies Stockton, we want to see your excitement for both the job and the company. Use your cover letter to express why you're interested in customer support specifically and how you're eager to help customers during peak times. Mention any relevant skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit!
Flexibility is Key:Seasonal positions often require adaptability, so emphasise your willingness to work varying shifts or tackle new challenges. Let us know about your flexibility in your cover letter, as it shows you're ready to jump into action when needed and helps us understand your availability throughout the season.
Emphasise Soft Skills and Teamwork:In customer support, your soft skills are just as crucial as your experience. Highlight qualities like patience, empathy, and communication in your CV and cover letter. If you have examples of working in a team to solve problems or improve processes, shout about them—they'll show us how you can contribute to a great atmosphere at Dobbies Stockton!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Stockton
✨Showcase Your Customer Empathy
In customer support, empathy is key! Come prepared with examples from past experiences where you handled customer issues. Think of specific situations where you turned a frustrated customer into a satisfied one, because those real-life stories will show Dobbies Stockton that you've got the right attitude for their team.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with popular customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk. If you've used any chat or ticketing systems before, be ready to discuss how you navigated them and any challenges you overcame. This will demonstrate that you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy, which is super important in this field.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Expect some role-playing during your interview where you'll be asked to deal with a hypothetical customer scenario. Practise handling common issues, such as a complaint about a product or service delay. This will give you a chance to display your problem-solving skills and how you maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Enthusiasm
As this is a seasonal position, let your passion shine! Talk about your willingness to dive into the role, your adaptability to busy periods, and how you thrive in high-pressure environments. Share why you're excited to join Dobbies Stockton during this peak time and how you can be an asset to their team.
