In the summer months and in the run-up to the winter holidays, companies often have to hire additional employees for seasonal jobs. This is particularly common in industries where business typically picks up during the summertime and around the holidays.
But any industry that has a busy season is likely to hire seasonal help to handle the extra work.
Seasonal employment is ideal for people who want to earn additional money. Many teens and college students work seasonally during the summer and school holidays, while part-time adults work seasonally to supplement their income.
In this article, we explain what a seasonal job is, how to get a seasonal job, and tips for success.
Table of contents
What is a Seasonal job?
A seasonal job is a temporary employment that is repeated at about the same time each year. Companies that primarily have more customers during certain times of the year hire seasonal jobbers to provide extra help during the busiest times.
Other seasonal jobs require warm or cold weather, so businesses close during the slow season. For example, cities only need snowplow drivers in winter and only lifeguards for public pools in summer.
Types of Seasonal Jobs
There are a variety of great seasonal job options to consider if you’re looking for a season-specific job or want to make a career out of cobbling together different types of seasonal jobs. Here are a few to note:
There are many types of seasonal jobs for people with a wide range of skills. Here are some of the most common industries for seasonal positions:
- tourism
- Construction
- Retail trade
- Delivery of groceries or packages
- Accounting
Tourism
Resorts in places with beaches, beautiful scenery, and popular attractions attract the most visitors in the summer. Hotels and restaurants often need seasonal help, and you can apply for a tour guide or lifeguard job.
You can also teach seasonal sports like surfing or ice skating. Some places get more guests in winter because of great ski slopes, beautiful snow, or cozy huts.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can work in a state or national park, become a summer camp advisor, or lead hiking or adventure tours.
Many people move temporarily to get jobs related to tourism. You can spend time in amazing places while making money to pay for your travels.
Construction
Most construction work, like building a new house or installing a roof, takes place in the summer. In areas with hot, rainy summers, spring and fall are the busiest seasons.
Locations with cold winters need additional heating specialists in the fall, and regions with warmer climates need help with air conditioning in the spring.
Retail
Retail stores typically hire seasonal vendors in the fall and winter. They get additional customers who want to decorate their houses for Halloween and buy costumes and candy for children.
Then customers take part in Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving. It’s the start of the busy Christmas shopping season.
You could work as a manager, cashier, salesman, shelf operator, or wrapping paper. You could be a character in a haunted house or one of Santa’s helpers.
If you plan to work in the summer, look for stores near attractions like amusement parks or stores that specialize in summer gear like boats or wetsuits.
Deliveries
During the holiday season, some restaurants require more delivery people. People order more often because they’d rather spend more time with their family members or do the shopping than cook.
They also have lots of guests to feed. Most people order parcels for friends and family members or themselves during these months, creating opportunities for seasonal jobs in a parcel distribution center or as delivery drivers.
Accounting
The tax season begins in late January when the IRS starts accepting tax returns. Many accountants and auditors do most of the work during these months.
Firms hire additional help to answer phone calls from customers, create promotional or marketing campaigns, and help people with tax returns.
When Should You Apply for Seasonal Jobs?
Generally, when looking for a seasonal job, start looking for a job before the season starts. That is, if you are looking for a summer job, start your search in spring. And if you want to work during the winter holidays, apply in autumn.
But they can also be successful at the beginning of the season (or even in the middle of it). Because employment is short-term in nature, some employees may quit, whether because they didn’t like the job or because they found a longer-term opportunity.
How Do I Get a Seasonal Job?
There are lots of seasonal jobs out there, but finding a position you love can take some effort. To make it easier to find a seasonal job, do the following:
- Network.
- Apply early.
- Consider a variety of options.
- Prepare for your interviews.
1. Network
You should let all business contacts, friends, family, and co-workers know that you are looking for a temporary job. Tell them when you want to start, how long you want to work, and what industries you are interested in.
Someone you know may know someone looking for seasonal help. You can also ask your current employer to act as a reference or write a recommendation.
2. Apply early
Begin your job search at least a month before you plan to start work so that you have plenty of time to apply for multiple jobs, go for interviews, and shop for uniforms, work boots, and other accessories as needed.
3. Consider a variety of options
If you don’t get a job offer for the position you want, apply for jobs in the same industry to gain experience and increase your chances of success in the next year.
For example, you could answer the phone for an accountant so you can look for a job as an accountant next year.
If you enjoyed working on your last seasonal job, consider returning there. If your employer is familiar with your job, they may give you more responsibility or better pay. You could eventually take on a full-time job or a seasonal management position.
4. Prepare for your interviews
Before going for an interview, do some research about the company and prepare to answer general interview questions.
If the person you are interviewing asks you why you want a seasonal job, you could say that you want to gain experience in the industry, make extra money, and eventually find a full-time job in the field.
You can also show your interest by asking a few questions about a typical daily routine or the most common types of customers.
Success Tips for Working in the Seasonal Jobs
This is how you can make a good impression, have fun and gain valuable experience in your seasonal job:
Treat your job like a permanent position
While a seasonal job is only temporary, the impression you make on superiors and colleagues can last for years. Even if your main goal is to make extra money and you are not interested in gaining experience, you should be cheerful, polite, and nice to everyone you meet.
You can stand out from your employer and get a great referral by helping your employees when needed, being available for extra shifts, and following company rules.
Other workers may also be more willing to help if you show your commitment.
Keep your schedule flexible
You should make your schedule as flexible as possible so that you can work if your employer needs additional help. If you have another employer, let both employers know if you are unavailable on certain days or times.
Ask lots of questions
If you want to learn new skills during your seasonal job, ask as many questions as you can. Most supervisors and coworkers will be happy to explain how to handle tasks like storing deliveries of goods or depositing them with the company’s bank.
You can become more useful in your current position and future jobs by seeking help from one or more mentors. You should also keep an eye on the latest trends in your industry.
Save
Many seasonal jobbers receive a large part of their annual income within a few months. If you have no other income, consider saving some of your extra income for the slow season.
Even if you have a regular job year round, you may not be able to cover emergency medical expenses or home repairs with no savings. A seasonal job is also a great way to earn money for a fun vacation after you quit your job.
Conclusion
All in all, a seasonal job can be the perfect opportunity to build a career in a short amount of time and at the same time save your wallet – just make sure that it suits you and your goals.
Once you decide that a seasonal job is right for you, check out the company’s careers pages and job websites
References
- Definition, How It Works, Types and How to Get a Seasonal Job|indeed
- Seasonal Work: What It is and How to Find a Seasonal Job|thebalancecareers.com
- Should You Take a Seasonal Job? The Pros and Cons – themuse
- Pros and Cons of Taking a Seasonal Job | TopResume
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