Pros and Cons of Working Seasonal Winter Jobs
As with anything else, there are positive aspects of the winter season as well as negative. One thing many people do is look for seasonal employment to make some extra money. Seasonal work is not a new concept, some people want extra money to buy holiday gifts, travel to be with relatives or simply to help cover their winter living expenses. Before applying for any seasonal job,thinkabout a few things first:
Pros-
- Income. One of the most obvious good things about a seasonal job is the extra income. Some jobs pay wages as well as getting tips from customers/clients. There is no doubt that money is a good thing during the cold winter months, not to mention for holiday shopping!
- Guaranteed. In most areas, there are businesses that need extra help during the holiday sales and rushes. Once the weather turns cold and people start preparing for the holiday season, you are pretty much guaranteed to find a job doing something, somewhere. You may not actually enjoy doing snow removal or setting store displays, but at least it is a job that will bring in some money.
- Fun. Not all seasonal jobs are back-breaking or otherwise unpleasant. You could find a job working around children at the mall or getting to dress up in a festive costume and hand out store flyers. These jobs can be fun because you get the chance to see the more jovial side to the holiday season.
- Work experience. Whether you like your seasonal job or not, you are getting some extra work experience which can look pretty darn good on your resume! It is a very good thing to show that you have diverse skills and that you can adapt to a hectic schedule and work environment. It can show potential future employers that you are not afraid to get your hands dirty to get the job done.
Cons-
- Job ends. Seasonal is another way of saying the job is temporary or lasts through that particular season. This means the job is over at the end of the season or holidays. That is not a good thing for the pocketbook because that extra money will stop coming in and then you may be back to looking for another job.
- Long hours. Seasonal jobs can mean you will be hired to work long hours and end up getting less time with friends and/or family. It can also even cut into your sleep time and be physically demanding.
- Unpleasant job duties. Some people shovel snow and clear walkways and even parking lots during the winter season. This type of job is not fun or glamorous. Waiting tables during the holiday season can be a messy job. These are a couple of examples of unpleasant job duties seasonal employees may face.
- Stressful. Almost any seasonal job has the potential to be very stressful due to hectic schedules, rude customers, constant clean-up tasks and even lousy traffic. Another stressful aspect of being a seasonal employee is that you probably will not get any of the benefits that a regular, full time employee receives.
There are many things to consider before applying for winter seasonal jobs. If you are only looking for some extra money on top of your normal income or you find yourself unemployed during the winter season then seasonal jobs are a very good idea. The one thing you must keep in mind is that seasonal jobs are just that: seasonal (temporary). You might be lucky enough to be asked to stay on permanently, however do not depend on that happening. When you are hired for a seasonal job, just be happy and work it as long as you can.
