There is a lot of information you should know when it comes to seasonal work. Seasonal work is temporary employment, usually lasting between 3-6 months, that takes place during a certain time of the year. I have worked 5 different seasonal jobs in 4 different US states and there was a lot that I wish I was prepared for before I got started. To help you find a seasonal job and be prepared for the seasonal lifestyle, this post answers everything you need to know about seasonal work.
Table of Contents
About Seasonal Work
What is seasonal work?
Seasonal work is temporary employment, usually lasting between 3-6 months, that takes place during a certain time of the year.
When is each work season?
Generally, the summer season is from late-May to mid-September, the fall is from late-September to November, the winter season is from late-November to early March, and the spring season is from late-March to early-May.
The exact dates for each season will vary depending on where in the USA a seasonal business is located. You will often find that many locations extend their summer contracts into the fall season and that winter contracts will run into the spring.
Are there seasonal businesses that operate year-round?
Yes. There are many seasonal businesses that operate year-round. An example of this would be a guest lodge in Montana that runs hiking trips in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter. While they might hire their staff on a seasonal basis, they can also have contracts that last a full year because they need help keeping their businesses open year-round.
What is considered the high versus low season?
For a seasonal business, the high season is when they have the most number of tourists/guests and are therefore consistently busy. While each type of business has it’s own high season, it will usually be during the summer months, the peak of winter (when the snow if good), and/or during the holidays.
What types of seasonal jobs are there?
Name a job and you can probably find it somewhere in the seasonal world. You can work at a summer camp, campground, ski resort, dude ranch, national park, etc… in departments like guiding, food & beverage, housekeeping, youth staff, event planning, maintenance, reservations, and more.
What is the age limit for seasonal workers?
There is no age limit to be a seasonal worker. I have met and worked with people of all ages, in various seasonal jobs. No matter your age you can have a great experience and find people who are looking to have the same type of adventures that you are.
Do seasonal jobs require experience?
Most seasonal jobs require little to no experience because they will train you.
Of course, there are specialty jobs such as wranglers, ski instructors, chefs, etc… that you will need some type of previous experience to apply for. However, you can still work at ranches and ski resorts in a different department and receive the same perks.
Why is there such high turnover in seasonal work?
Seasonal work is contract work, which means many people plan on completing their contract and then leaving, even before the job begins. Some people want a specific experience, need something to do for the summer, or are trying to figure out what they want out of life. While a few people return year after year, many people choose to find a more steady job that they can count on year-round. It is also common for people to cancel last minute because another opportunity came along or leave mid-season because they realize that seasonal work is not their cup of tea.
Finding and Applying to Seasonal Work
Where do you find and apply to seasonal jobs?
There are websites you can use to find seasonal work. I personally reccommend using Cool Works. Or, you can use one of these 19 websites to find seasonal jobs. To apply for the job, you will either do so directly through the job posting or the website will give you an alternate route to submit an application.
When do seasonal jobs hire?
Seasonal businesses begin their hiring process 5-6 months before the job begins. The more popular jobs fill up fast, so it’s good to start applying early. However, job openings pop up at all points of the season for various reasons, so you should consistently check back to see what’s new.
What should you put on your resume for these jobs?
Just like any job you apply for, you should tailor your resume to the job you want. For example, if you want to be a hiking guide, then you should add your first aid experience, trails you have completed, experience leading groups, etc… The majority of seasonal jobs are in the hospitality and tourism industry; hotels, lodges, tours, ski resorts, etc… That means you should add any experience you have working with people. Most of these jobs want to know you have a friendly personality.
Also, make sure you check formatting, spelling, and grammar before you submit anything. Adding any seasonal experience you have is also a big plus.
How many jobs should you apply to at once?
As many as you want, but more than just one! If you are set on being a wrangler then apply to multiple ranches. If you are aiming to work at a specific national park then apply to multiple jobs in and around that park. The more jobs you apply to, the higher your chances of getting a job will be. Just as employers are viewing many candidates, you should be viewing different job possibilities. Don’t end up waiting several weeks to never get a reply from that one job. While that time is being wasted, other jobs are filling up.
Should you cold call?
Cold calling is when you call a business directly and ask if there are job openings. While you can do this, nine out of ten times they will direct you to apply on their website. This is just how things work in todays world: you apply for a job online or via email.
I spent a year and a half working in the office at a guest ranch and I would often be the one to answer a cold call. It was surprising how many people were unprofessional when doing this and would not say their name or would go into their “hire me” speech not releasing that I had no say in the hiring process. I would pass on the message but due to the unprofessionalism, not one of these people were ever hired. So if you choose to cold call make sure you are organized, professional, introduce yourself, and ask to speak with the staff member in charge of hiring.
Should you visit a business to ask about a job?
There is nothing wrong with stopping by a seasonal business to ask about job opportunities, introduce yourself, and find out how you can apply. However, it really depends on the type of business. For example, you can easily do this at a ski resort but do not do this at a summer camp. You should also consider if you showing up out of the blue will put them out, especially if they are really busy trying to get their jobs done. Overall, nine out of ten times they will still direct you to apply on their website or via email.
Why are you not hearing back from a job you applied to?
While there are a lot of seasonal jobs out there, many can be competitive. People who do the hiring are looking through a lot of resumes and applications.
Did you send in everything they asked for: the correct amount of references, that cover letter they are expecting, is your resume up to date and edited for spelling and grammar mistakes? When you called to inquire about the job were you professional, respectful, and seemed really interested in working with that employer? If your answer is no, then I suggest fixing all of this and resubmitting your application.
If your answer if yes then there may be a whole handful of reasons; if they are in the off-season their hiring team could be on vacation, they may not be looking for any more help but didn’t take down the job post, etc… This can be frustrating, but there is not much you can do about it.
What do you do if you don’t hear back?
If you still have not heard anything from a prospective job within 2 weeks, then you should follow up. Send a follow-up email or give them a call to check on the status of your application. This way you can show them how interested you are in the job, or at least find out if they went in another direction.
Seasonal Work Culture
What type of people work seasonally?
There are people of all ages and walks of life who work seasonally. While everyone has there own story, there are certain types of people you will encounter most often.
You will find a lot of 18-20something year olds who are working to make money for the summer, taking a gap year after high school/college, or trying to figure out what they want to do in life. In this age range you will also encounter a lot of international staff members who are coming to the USA on a working VISA in order to travel, experience the culture, and live here on a more long-term basis.
You will meet people in their 30s-40s-50s who move between seasonal work as a means to travel, have a set job/location that they always return to each season, or have just quit their job and are looking for something new. Then you will find the 50+ age group who have been working at these locations as a career for a long time or who have just retried and are looking for new experiences.
Is it hard to make friends?
What’s nice about seasonal work is that there will usually be new employees starting at the same time as you. Therefore, there is less of a chance that you need to push your way into an already tight knit friends group. You will most likely go through staff training with these people so there will be plenty of opportunity to get to know the other staff members. In most jobs you will live in staff housing so there is usually someone around to hang out with. Of course, you still may need to do some work and push yourself outside your comfort zone.
What is the seasonal work culture like?
One thing that remains consistent across seasonal jobs is how often people come and go. You get used to saying goodbye to friends that you may never see again and hello to new people who are soon to become your friends.
Because of this, how things are done can change frequently and your love for the job may fluctuate depending on who your new manager is or how the new group of staff likes to do things.
Work culture also depends on the type of business you work for and the number of staff that work there. A summer camp culture has some commonalities with a ski resort culture but has very different vibes and social norms. When you work at a summer camp, everyone knows everyone but at a popular ski resort you could work a full season and not meet a big bulk of the other staff members that work there.
What are the main perks of seasonal work?
There are lots of perks to seasonal work if you choose your job right! Most people agree that the main perks are the free experiences you get to have. Do you love to hike? You can spend a summer working in Alaska taking people on beautiful hikes across vast glaciers every day. Love to ski or snowboard? Any job at a ski resort will get you a free ski pass.
What are the cons of a seasonal job?
Each job will have it’s own specific ups and downs. However, with the majority of seasonal jobs, you tend to put in a lot of working hours. This may mean very long days, lots of overtime, 6-day work weeks, and not getting to choose what your days off are. It also means working during the holidays and not getting to go home to celebrate Christmas with your family or birthdays with your friends.
Can you do seasonal work long term?
It is possible to work seasonal jobs long term, it just depends on how you want to do it and if you are okay with living the seasonal lifestyle year-round. Lots of people in the seasonal world have specific jobs that they bounce back and forth between as the seasons change, and have been doing so for years. You could also work your way up to management and become a full time staff member for a seasonal business.
The Seasonal Lifestyle
Are most seasonal jobs remote living?
A lot of seasonal jobs are in more remote or rural locations, with populated towns being further away. For example, a dude ranch in Wyoming or a snow mobile rental company in Alaska. This is not the case for every seasonal job but you will find that the jobs that have housing or food included in the contract (aka: for free) are ones that are further off the grid.
Should you bring a vehicle with you?
For the majority of jobs, you won’t need a car, but it’s really nice to have one. You are going to want to get off property, get into town, travel, etc… and you will want to do it when it’s convenient for you. It’s not a must but it makes life a lot easier.
Is housing provided with all seasonal jobs?
With a lot of seasonal jobs housing is provided for you and others may offer housing at a set fee that is deducted from your paycheck. There will also be jobs that do not offer housing and you will need to find a place to live on your own, at your own expense.
What is seasonal housing like?
The type of housing you have will vary greatly. I’ve lived in a rustic cabin in the woods with no electricity, a dorm-style building on a mountain in a tiny room with one roommate, and in a gorgeous old house on a ranch with 6 other people. It all depends on what your employer offers, but it is usually a very modest living space and will be less than glamourous.
When it comes to location, you may be living right on property and only need to walk a few hundred paces to get to work. For others you may need to drive a few miles to get to work. You will most likely have a roommate or even multiple and you will need to check if there is a kitchen, laundry, or common area available.
Do all seasonal jobs provide food?
No. Just like with housing, some jobs will provide food for their staff at no cost and others may provided it for a set fee that is deducted from your paycheck. The food could be staff food or it could be what the guests/clients you work with are also eating everyday. Some seasonal jobs may offer an employee meal during your shift or you may need to shop and cook on your own. The more remote the job, the more likely food will be part of your contract.
Do you need to be a minimalist?
No. There is this idea that everyone who lives a nomadic lifestyle has very few worldly possessions and/or lives a minimalistic lifestyle. This is not true. If you want to be a minimalist, go for it! If you don’t, then don’t! Just know you wont be able to take everything you own with you to your seasonal job.
Pay & Working Hours
How many hours and days do seasonal staff work?
Work hours and days completely vary from job to job. You can find jobs where you work 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off, or jobs where you are working 6 days a week and have 1 day off. Generally speaking, most seasonal workers clock a lot of hours, especially if they are working during the high season. Overtime is pretty common in the seasonal work world.
How much do seasonal jobs pay?
Pay will vary from job to job. You could be making minimum wage or a receive a set monthly salary. Some jobs have the possibility to receive tips and overtime hours. You won’t be making tons of money working seasonally, but you can save a lot if you do it right.
Can you find a high paying seasonal job?
Yes. If you are okay with working a lot of hours or living in a remote location, you can find seasonal work that pays a lot. You will need to do some research, but a well know high paying jobs (where you work a lot and can save a lot) is a fish cannery in Alaska.
Do you get paid to relocate?
No. When you take a seasonal job it is up to you to get to the location/job on your own dime. That being said, you can find seasonal jobs that will reimburse your plane ticket if you work the full season but they are harder to come by and usually mean a more remote working location.
Are training and certifications something your company pays for?
Yes! If you need a specific training or certification for a job you are hired for (such rafting or lifeguarding) the business will train you or remburse you for your certification.
How do taxes work?
In super simple terms: If you are a US citizen you will file a nonresident tax return in the state you worked in. You will also file a resident state return in the state you live in, making sure to list all of your income on that return. When the process is over, if you get anything back from the state you worked in, you will receive a check from that state when it is time for tax refunds.
The Off Season
What is the “off season”?
The off season is the time of year that seasonal businesses are closed or not operating at full capacity. It’s also referred to as “the shoulder season” or “the muddy season.” For most businesses this is during the fall or spring when tourist counts are low and the weather is unpredictable.
What do seasonal workers do in the off season?
Some seasonal businesses need workers during the off season, so some staff still work. Others will head to a different seasonal job that is beginning to open for their season. A lot will visit family or spend time traveling until their next job begins. It’s up to you!
Where do workers live during the off-season?
Businesses won’t have a place for you to stay during the off-season and won’t permit you to stay on property unless you are working. There are various things I have done, and have seen people do, for housing between seasonal jobs. You can visit/live with your family or friends while you are waiting for the next season to start. You can travel. You can get an air bnb, camp, or stay at a cheap hotel while working a temp job. Or, you can migrate to another seasonal job that is currently open.
Where do people keep their stuff in the off season?
If you do not have a childhood home to leave your belongings, or have too much to carry around with you, there are a couple of options. You could try to leave your things with a friend or find a storage space to rent. You can also ask your current employer if storage is available during the off season (especially if you will be returning the following season). If you are moving on to another seasonal job soon, you can contact that employer and see if it is possible to move your belongings in a few weeks early.
How do these jobs effect your resume?
If you live the nomadic lifestyle your resume tends to be all over the place. When applying for a seasonal job, the person looking at your resume will appreciate seeing that you have many difference experiences and have been all over the map. To them, this means that you probably know what to expect from a seasonal job and understand what you are getting yourself into.
If you are ready to settle into a long term job, some employers might ask you about the inconsistency in your resume. However, with the world we live in now, it is easy to say that you were taking a gap year, or you were traveling to gain experience, but are ready to settle down now. Many people worry about how their resume will look, and I truly think that unless you are trying to break into a career that you need to take specific educational and job related steps to get there (like a cardiac surgeon) odds are you will be fine.
International Seasonal Work
Are there international seasonal jobs?
Yes! While this post is geared toward seasonal work in the USA, you can find seasonal jobs around the world. Europe has various ski season opportunities in the winter and resort work opportunities in the summer. There are seasonal opportunities for summer camps or farm work in Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America. There are many possibilities.
Where can I find seasonal jobs abroad?
You can search for international seasonal work by using one of these 20 websites to find an expat job abroad. Make sure you really do your research on where you can work, the jobs that are available to you, and what steps you need to take to obtain the correct VISA.
How do you know if a business is hiring international workers?
Seasonal businesses hire international staff, but not all of them do. Some employers will make this know in the initial job post or make it clear on their website. If you are unsure, visit their website’s staff page and see if they note something along the lines of: we have staff from all over the world. Or check if the employee application has a space that asks what country you are from. This tells you that they usually have people applying from all over the world. If you don’t see anything like this then send an email letting them know you are interested and ask if they hire international employees.
Do companies in the USA hire international workers?
Yes! A lot of US business actually rely on international workers to fill their seasonal positions because they can’t always count on being able to hire enough US staff. Many of these businesses will advertise that they hire international staff and will support you in taking the rights steps to acquire the proper visa and arrive in country.
How do you get a VISA to work a seasonal job abroad?
Choosing the right VISA depends on where you are going, what you will be doing, and what passport you hold. Some VISAs are super easy to get, while others can feel like you are jumping through hoops. You need to research the type of visa you need for the job you want, and all the rules and regulations that go along with it, because VISAs are not a “one size fits all” kind of deal.
Conclusion
There are a lot of details about seasonal work and what the lifestyle is really like. Hopefully this post answered all of your questions about working seasonal jobs. What was your seasonal job experience like? Do you have more questions about seasonal work? Please let me know in the comments below.