Benefits of Seasonal Employment
While taking a seasonal job may not seem like an obvious step forward in your employment plan, these types of jobs can help you in many ways:
- Flexibility – seasonal jobs can fill the time gaps between other projects. For example: school, childcare, or another job.
- Earning Potential – several employers pay higher wages or offer signing bonuses for seasonal employment. Often there are more chances for overtime in short-term employment.
- Work and Travel – some employers pay the travel cost of getting you to a job in a different province or country. This gives you a chance to work, travel and explore new opportunities while on location. Accommodations may be paid for by your employer as well, which in turn keeps your living costs down.
- Finding Your Niche – seasonal jobs give you the opportunity to try out different jobs to see if they are a good fit or not. If not, then a short-term commitment is an alternative to resigning. If it’s something you enjoy then it’s a good introduction to a field you may want to pursue.
- Building Skills – each new job brings to the table a list of new skills to build on. For instance, good customer service skills will serve you well in every position dealing with the public. Many employers provide training courses which offer valuable certificates or tickets that will help you gain long term employment. For example, First Aid, WHMIS, FoodSafe, Serving it Right, a Forklift ticket and many more. These are transferable skills that can be added to your portfolio and may be required in your next line of work.
- Building Character – starting a new job is exciting and can be a little nerve racking at the same time. New experiences help you to practice determination, self-control, patience, and eventually confidence. These are all good values that build characteristics which will impress your next employer.
- Employer Perks – some seasonal employers will entice you to join their team with perks. Who wouldn’t enjoy working a summer job and receiving employee discounts at a spa, free lift passes, or tickets to special events for example?
- Networking & References – the people you work with and for, can help you find other employment opportunities. For example, they may hear of other opportunities they feel you would be perfect for, or they may be a good reference for you in the future. The more people you impress the greater your chances are of finding that dream job you’ve been waiting for.
- Getting Your Foot In the Door – starting out with a seasonal position gives your employer a chance to see what you can do and gives you the opportunity to gain the skills you need to do the job. Often employers hire someone for work ethic and attitude, they can always teach you the skills you need. If you impress your employer they will want to keep you and may offer you more work within their organization if possible.
- Resume Building – seasonal work will fill gaps in your resume. It will demonstrate your new skills, it will show that you’re flexible to try new positions, that you’re eager to work and that you’re a go-getter making things happen instead of waiting for things to happen.
