Seasonal Employment

By Patty Ceglio Bishoff

Director of Operations

CoolWorks.com

 

There's more to a seasonal employment gig than meets the eye! Imagine gaining new skills, being exposed to a new industry, traveling to new places, and meeting new faces, without feeling like the employment papers have signed your life away.

“Seasonal” can be interchanged with “summer” in many cases, though “winter” is another big season for the resort industry. Seasonal jobs typically last three to nine months. Think in terms of Dining Room Staff, Bellperson, Maintenance Staff, Groundskeeper, Lifeguard, Hotel Manager, Wrangler, Seasonal Park Ranger, Cook, Fishing Guide, Ski Instructor, and Snow Maker. You'll start to see what these positions can offer. As an added incentive, many seasonal employers offer on-site employee housing, seasonal accident insurance, shuttle service, meal plans, bonuses, ski passes, etc. You'll want to check each employer's details carefully.

There are several keys to finding your dream seasonal job. The first, dare we say is obvious ~ be available to work during the appropriate season. Seasonal operations often have a very specific date range applicants must meet before being considered. Secondly, previous experience is helpful for most non-entry-level positions. Seasonal operations often close down one season with a staff and re-open the next season with another, making it necessary for employees to “hit the ground running” once they are shown the operational specifics. Another helpful hint is to be flexible with job choices, if indeed you are willing to be considered for a variety of positions. The best part of the deal is that seasonal jobs exist in some amazing places, and you might just want to rate “location” vs. “duties.” Are you willing to do “anything” just to have Mount Rainier at your beckon call all summer? Internships are possible with many seasonal employers as well.

Have a summer off? Ready to change jobs? Want to give yourself a break from the rat race before settling into that “real” job? Graduating from college in December? Seasonal jobs have your names written all over them.

Patty Ceglio Bishoff is Director of Operations at CoolWorks.com. You can reach her at patty@coolworks.com . CoolWorks.com lists thousands of “JOBS IN GREAT PLACES” ~ national parks, resorts, ski areas, theme parks, camps, ranches, cruise lines and more. Jobs by category, search tools, jobs listed by state, career listing, help wanted now and a resume posting system all help make CoolWorks.com work for you!

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