Seasonal work is temporary employment, usually lasting between 3-6 months, that takes place during a certain time of year, either the summer, winter, fall, or spring. Seasonal jobs are very different than your usual 9-5, and there is a lot that many people do not understand until they get started. To help you be prepared for the seasonal lifestyle, here is everything you need to know about seasonal work.
Photo Credits: Joshua Woroniecki
Table of Contents
Finding and Applying to Seasonal Work
Where do you find and apply to seasonal jobs?
There are many jobs sites you can use to find seasonal work. I personally prefer the website Cool Works. If that does not work for you, try one of these 15 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.
Note: If you want help navigating Cool Works, take a look at my video on Finding and Applying to a Seasonal Job using Cool Works.
What types of seasonal jobs are there?
There are so many different types of seasonal work you can do! If you name a job, you can probably find it somewhere in the seasonal world. You can work at a summer camp, ski resort, dude ranch, national park, etc... and you do not need a ton of experience to do so as there are lots of entry level jobs. For example, ski resorts do not only hire ski instructors, they also need people in the ticket office, housekeeping, servers, kids zone, etc...
For more ideas, check out: Summer Adventure Guide Jobs or Seasonal Winter Jobs.
When should you start applying?
You should apply 5-6 months from the start date of the job. On the other hand, seasonal jobs hire year round so it's usually never too late to apply. Just know the 'fun' jobs may be filled up if you apply last minute.
Why is there such high turnover in seasonal work?
Many people only sign a seasonal contract for one season and move onto something new. 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 for them.
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 add your first aid experience, trails or thru-hikes you have completed, experience working with people or leading groups, etc... Also, make sure you check formatting, spelling, and grammar before you submit anything. Of course, 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 definitely 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.
I have applied to so many places, why am I not hearing back?
While there are a lot of seasonal jobs out there, many can be competitive. This means that the 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 for that position and are not sending out this information, etc... This can be frustrating, but there is not much you can do about it.
Well... what do I do if I don't hear back?
If you still have not heard anything from a prospective job within 2 weeks, then I strongly suggest following 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.
Photo Credits: Alexander Nrjwolf
International Seasonal Work
Are seasonal jobs only available in the USA?
No! There are also many seasonal jobs abroad. While seasonal work may be more popular in the USA, Europe has various ski season opportunities in the winter and resort work opportunities in the summer. There are also seasonal opportunities for summer camps or farm work in Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Where can I find seasonal jobs abroad?
To find these jobs, you need to 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.
Here are some resources to get you started: If you want to go to Australia on a Working Holiday VISA, you can find a job using one of these websites. You can look into Summer Camp Jobs in Europe, Summer Camp jobs in Canada, Summer Camp Jobs in the USA, or Summer Camp Jobs in East Asia. You can also find seasonal work exchange opportunities using these websites. Or, you can use google to search seasonal jobs abroad.
How can you tell if a business is hiring international workers?
A lot of seasonal jobs 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 still unsure, visit their staff page on their website 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 asking if they hire international employees.
Do companies in the USA hire international employees?
Yes! A lot of US companies/business actually rely on international workers to fill their seasonal positions because many American citizens do not return to seasonal work each year.
How do you get a VISA to work a seasonal job internationally?
This is a tricky question because the answer 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 on 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. You can also ask the business you are applying to how their past employees obtained a valid VISA to work for their company.
Photo Credits: Holly Mandarich
The Seasonal Lifestyle
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.
What type of people work seasonally?
Here are typical categories seasonal workers tend to fit into... You will find a lot of 18-25 year olds during the summer season. These are the people who work during their summers off from college. In both winter and summer, you will meet the 18-20somethings that are taking a gap year after high school/college for various reasons. These people are usually the majority of people you will work with in a seasonal job.
You will also meet people who are in their 30s-40s-50s who usually move between seasonal work as a means to travel, have a set job/location that they always return to as the seasons change, or 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. Of course, everyone has their own story, but these are the general types of people you will find.
Is it hard to make friends?
What is nice about seasonal work, is that there will always 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 always someone around to hang out with. Of course, you still may need to do some work and push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Are most seasonal jobs remote living?
A lot of seasonal jobs are in remote or rural locations, with populated towns being further away. For example, a ski resort up in the mountains or a dude ranch in nowhere Colorado. 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 are ones that are further off the grid.
Is housing provided with all seasonal jobs?
Every seasonal job will be different when it comes to living arrangements. 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 each month. 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. It is up to you to find a job that has what you are looking for when it relates to housing expenses/options.
What is seasonal housing like?
The type of housing will also vary greatly, it could be amazing or it could be pretty rough. You could be living in a rustic cabin in the mountains, on a glacier in Alaska, or even on a boat! When it comes to location, you may be living right on property, and only need to roll out of bed and walk a few hundred paces to get to work. For others you may need to drive a few miles to get to work. If you are lucky you may get your own room, but you will most likely have a roommate or even multiple. It all depends on what your employer offers. It will be up to you to do your own research and decide what type of living arrangements you are okay with and can realistically live with.
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 will not offer food at all and you will need to shop and cook on your own. The more remote the job, the more likely food will be part of your contract.
Should you bring a vehicle with you?
For the majority of seasonal jobs, you won't need a car. Many employers will arrange to pick you up from the airport upon arrival and departure. Once there, you may not need a personal vehicle to get around. That being said, you should do some research because just because you don't need a car does not mean it won't be nice to have one. Some things to ask yourself: Does the place you are going have another way off the property that you can utilize? Is there a bus stop nearby that will bring you into town? Will getting off the property when you want be vital to your mental health during the season? How will you get groceries if meals are not provided? etc...
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 for everyone. 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.
How is the pay and is it worth it?
While rate of pay will vary from job to job, entry level seasonal work is not known for its high rate of pay. You will either be working hourly or have a set pay rate per month. This can mean anything from minimum wage, below (if housing/food is provided), or more if you are in a job where you receive tips. Most seasonal employees are not taking the job for the paycheck and it's up to you to weigh the perks versus the paycheck.
Can you find a high paying seasonal job?
Yes, there are high paying seasonal jobs out there. However, I have found that the more money you make and the more your employer provides for you correlates with more working hours, more responsibility, and sometimes more 'off the grid' work locations.
How do taxes work?
This seems like it should be more complicated than it really is. 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.
What are the main perks of seasonal work?
There are lots of perks to seasonal work if you choose your job right! While there are many Pros and Cons to Seasonal Work, the main reason people take on seasonal jobs is because of the experiences they get. Do you love to hike? You can spend a summer in Alaska, taking people on beautiful hikes across vast glaciers. Love to ski or snowboard? Any job at a ski resort will get you an all access pass to the slopes free of charge.
What are the cons of a seasonal job?
There are lots of Pros and Cons of Seasonal Work. 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?
There are many seasonal jobs that you can work year round or return to each season. Thus making it possible to work seasonal jobs long term. If you want to make a career out of it, it is definitely possible.
Photo Credits: Averie Woodard
The Off Season
What is the "off season"?
The off season is the time of year that seasonal businesses are closed down or not fully operational. For example, a summer camp's season is usually during the summer months of May-August. They then close for the off season which would be September-April.
What do workers do in the off season?
There are lots of things you can do in the off season. Some seasonal businesses still need workers during the off season, so some seasonal staff will work during this time. Others will head to a different seasonal job that is beginning to open for their season. A lot will visit family at home or spend time traveling until their next job begins. It's up to you!
Where do you live during the off-season?
This is really up to you, because odds are many businesses will not have a place for you to stay during the off-season. Or, they may not permit you to stay on property in the off-season unless you are working. There are various things I have done, or 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 rent an Airbnb or hotel and find a temp job in the meantime. Or, you may not have a large gap between jobs and can make arrangements with your next seasonal job to move in a few weeks early.
Where do people keep their stuff in the off season?
If you do not have a childhood home to leave your belongings at, 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 employer if employee storage if available during the off season. If you are moving on to another seasonal job soon, 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 or short-term job, the person looking at your resume will most likely 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.
Now, if you do this for a few years and 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, such as a cardiac surgeon, odds are you will be fine.
Conclusion
There is a lot of details regarding finding seasonal jobs and what the seasonal lifestyle is really like. Hopefully this post gave you all the details you need to know when it comes to seasonal work. Have more questions? Let me know in the comments, I would love to help you find an answer.