4 Tips to “Go” Find a “Seasonal” Job
A “seasonal” job refers to the season you are in for your career or job search, or the busy season for operations for businesses and organizations. The season may be related to your personal status, such as obtaining certain experiences while in school, transitioning to a new career, finding a summer job or internship, or applying a new skill to build your resume. Your personal status could also be family-focused, such as raising extra cash to pay for higher education, cover additional household expenses, or save for a family vacation or holiday getaway.
For organizations, their busy season may be at different times of the year, depending on their business model. For example, wedding venues may have a very busy season from May through September. Local government agencies, such as Public Works, may have a busy season from June through October to help with various community-based projects, such as repaving roads, repainting public property, and repairing heavily used equipment to prepare for another busy season, such as a predicted snowy winter.
Camps, retailers, restaurants, and local government agencies and businesses are in hiring mode. Although you may have missed some opportunities, get going now if you want to land a seasonal job. Here are a few tips to help you effectively hunt for a seasonal job.
1. “Go” Online
Visit the careers pages/websites of companies of interest to see if they are hiring. Don’t forget the jobs and resource fairs hosted by your state’s Department of Labor. Also, check out Amazon and other companies that have “Student Programs” for seasonal student-centered jobs. Handshake is also a great hub for students. After you submit your resume and cover letter, follow up with a phone call. Persistence pays off!
2. “Go” Show Your Face
Finding a job opportunity online and applying should not stop your hunt. Applying online may be easier, but you might not get the result you want. Consider getting dressed professionally, showing up at the business locations, and introducing yourself as a candidate for employment. Consider the events being held around your community. Hosting sites, such as hotels and banquet halls, usually require employees at every level, from recruiters to event managers and chefs, to prepare, coordinate, and even recruit staff for seasonal events.
Searching Google for “Summer Hiring Events in [add your location]” may yield great options. Showing up will help you stand out from the black hole of online applications and resumes that are received during peak hiring periods. Remember, first impressions could make the difference between getting the job or not. During her teen years, I encouraged my daughter to apply in person and online while job hunting. Her actions paid off, and she landed her first paying job.
Showing up works! Don’t forget to dress appropriately and bring printed copies of your professionally written resume.
3. “Go” With Flexibility
Some businesses may require a range of business hours to accommodate their clients, especially if they operate in multiple time zones. Hours could vary from early morning to late evenings and weekends. Remaining open and flexible about your availability will likely position you as a great fit for a seasonal job.
4. “Go” Use Your Network
Working your personal connections is a great way to truncate your job hunt and find a seasonal job much quicker. Many jobs get filled before they are even advertised. Ask your network about any opportunities that may be coming up but are not yet advertised. That seasonal job may actually become a year-round full-time or part-time opportunity, or you just may find yourself pursuing a new career opportunity with a new company. So, before throwing away that invitation to the class reunion, homecoming, or next Meetup group, be sure to cultivate your existing connections, continuously make new ones, and go use your network!
