There are several possible reasons to apply for a seasonal hospitality job. Maybe you’re seeking to fill a short gap between permanent positions or before starting school. Or you might prefer seasonal roles because they offer the chance to travel. Perhaps, you’re not sure what you want your next full-time job to look like, and you want to take some time to learn about your options.

Table of Contents

1. The Pros of Taking on Seasonal Hospitality Work
2. What to Consider Before Accepting a Seasonal Job

No matter your circumstances, one of the great things about seasonal work is that it offers diverse opportunities to gain experience—along with many other benefits.

The Pros of Taking on Seasonal Hospitality Work

Seasonal hospitality work offers benefits that you don’t necessarily get from a year-round job. Here are some of the main perks.

• You can enjoy variety and frequent changes of scenery. Typically, seasonal jobs last for a few months, and then people move from one job to the next. This allows you to take on different roles and work at different types of properties. Whenever you feel like doing something new, your next adventure is always right around the corner.
• You get to explore fun locations. You may find seasonal work at a ski resort atop a snow-covered mountain, at a hotel on a tropical beach, or on a cruise ship touring historic cities. You get to travel to the fascinating places people put on their vacation bucket lists, and you might get to spend time in three or four dream destinations within a year.
• You can test-drive a new position. For example, if you’re not sure whether you would be happy as a bartender, you could apply for a short-term job to see if you like it. If you find that you’re passionate about mixology and love chatting with guests as you prepare their drinks, you might want to continue working as a bartender. But if you decide it’s not for you, your job has a predetermined end date, and you can soon transition to some other area of work.
• It’s perfect for networking. If you work for multiple employers at various times of the year, you’ll get to know people in lots of roles at all of those companies. As those people progress in their careers and switch jobs, you could find yourself with a wide-ranging set of contacts throughout the industry.
• There’s no boring downtime. The whole point of seasonal work is that you come in when business is booming. You’re typically on the job when a property’s occupancy is at or near its peak, so there are fun events and programs going on wherever you are and there’s always something new to experience.
• You might get the option to stay on past your seasonal contract. Making a good impression on an employer could lead them to offer you a permanent role. If you want to work for a certain hotel, for instance, but you haven’t managed to land a full-time position there, applying for a seasonal opening can be a great way to get your foot in the door.

What to Consider Before Accepting a Seasonal Job

Seasonal work presents abundant opportunities for many people, but for others, it may not be the best fit. You should be aware of these aspects of seasonal work when you consider whether it’s right for you.

• You have to switch between different jobs throughout the year. This may mean you have to say goodbye to an employer just as you’re settling into a routine and forming strong friendships with coworkers. If it takes you a while to get used to a new job and you dislike abrupt changes, you may not enjoy the short-term nature of this work.
• You might not have the option to stay close to home. Depending on where you live, seasonal work might be available for only part of the year. The rest of the time, you would have to go where the jobs are. While the possibility of travel is a major selling point for people who want to see the world, it may not appeal to someone who’s put down roots.

If you aim to climb the career ladder, you’ll probably have to take a full-time job. Most seasonal roles are line-level positions like server, cook, room attendant, groundskeeper, or valet. And some companies hire for seasonal supervisory roles such as assistant managers. But if you hope to progress in the management ranks or become an executive, you’ll need to find a permanent position.