Many industries face seasonal and cyclical fluctuations that require an influx of temporary workers to satisfy demand. When discussing seasonal work, the first image that comes to mind is usually part-time retail workers during the holiday season. However, a variety of industries require seasonal workers, such as financial institutions during tax season or government contractors at the end of the fiscal year.
Seasonal work can be beneficial to employees, especially those who want a side gig or who may not want to work traditional hours. Seasonal work also gives workers the opportunity to plan ahead and join an organization for a predetermined amount of time on an annual basis. Are you interested in finding seasonal work? Let’s explore some of the commonly asked questions about this type of work.
What is seasonal work?
Seasonal roles are short-term commitments that have a predetermined end date. Unlike temporary roles, employers can plan for seasonal roles in advance. Industry leadership knows when their high-demand period is and can plan by hiring seasonal workers. In contrast, temporary roles, are usually listed when an organization has a sudden, one-time need that is not related to cyclical, planned high-demand periods.
How do seasonal jobs work?
When companies hire employees for seasonal work, they typically know the start and end dates of employment in advance. Unlike temporary contract workers, seasonal workers can also secure their contract far in advance. With knowledge in hand about when their busy season is, businesses can hire early. This allows both workers and employers to plan and contract early, which can be helpful to both parties.
What are the common types of seasonal jobs?
A variety of industries hire for seasonal jobs. During the holiday season, businesses add additional roles in retail, shipping, and logistics to fulfill the increased demand from customers. Leading up to tax season, financial institutions and accounting firms bring on additional resources to meet deadlines. Government agencies and federal contractors sometimes bring on more workers during the end of the fiscal year. The timing of roles in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and other outdoor-based industries is based on the actual season. Lastly, seasonal work can be based on when a company is physically open, such as with ski resorts or summer camps.
What would my hours be as a seasonal worker?
As seasonal roles occur during high-demand periods, your working hours may be more than 40 hours a week. Work with the hiring manager to understand the time commitment of the role in which you are interested.
Some seasonal jobs offer part-time or flexible schedules, but it depends on the industry and the type of work you are signing up for.
When do seasonal jobs start?
Since companies know their busy season ahead of time, they often hire months in advance. You can collaborate with a recruiter to determine which industries and companies you want to target, and then apply for seasonal roles accordingly. Because seasonal demand can fluctuate, hiring managers may post roles at the last minute, so always keep an eye out. For most seasonal jobs, though, there is a clear start and end date that coincides with the period of increased demand.
Do seasonal employees receive benefits?
Most seasonal roles are part-time or contract positions, and will not provide workers with standard benefits, such as a 401(K), healthcare, or leave policies. Some positions, though, offer an increased wage due to the competition to find workers, but benefits are usually not part of the deal.
Look for positions that offer additional, non-traditional benefits, such as overtime pay, commuter benefits, a health stipend, employee discounts, or training opportunities.
What are the advantages and challenges of seasonal work?
Seasonal work can be a great opportunity for many workers, especially if you’re between jobs or want to supplement your income with a part-time gig. Some workers prefer seasonal work due to the flexible scheduling and its cyclical, steady nature.
If you are interested in trying a new industry, seasonal work can be a valuable way to explore different options and learn critical skills needed to pursue full-time employment opportunities.
This type of work is not devoid of challenges. Since you will be working during a high-demand period, these jobs can often be stressful or unpredictable. Since your co-workers will be busy as well, they may have little time for training and onboarding which can be stressful for seasonal workers if they are unfamiliar with the industry.
How do you prepare for a successful seasonal job hunt?
If you are committed to finding seasonal work, first identify the industries and companies you would like to target, such as an industry you want to explore for future work or a seasonal opportunity that is located close to you.
Craft your resume and application based on the job descriptions you find. Call out the specific skills and experience you have that are relevant to the seasonal work you are seeking. To find the job descriptions, look at industry job boards or work with a recruiter. For example, when you work with Peoplelink Staffing, they will help you identify relevant roles, tailor your resume, and ace the interview to land your desired seasonal job.
Work with Peoplelink to find seasonal employment
Many employees gravitate towards the cyclical nature and flexibility of seasonal work. It can be a fantastic opportunity to explore a new industry or gain additional income. If you are interested in pursuing seasonal employment, contact Peoplelink to start your journey.
