Seasonal jobs are offered to prospective employees for a specific time length marked by a season, event or holiday, in most cases. Whether it is winter or summer, Christmas or whale-watching season, there are thousands of jobs that need to be filled for a short period in order to accommodate increased demand. These positions can be found in many industries, but the most popular seasonal jobs are found within the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. These industries are susceptible to high and low, or peak and off-peak, seasons that create fluctuating demand for labor. Salespersons, desk clerks, tour guides and waiters are often seasonal workers, looking to make extra money during the time of year when customers and visitors are most likely to frequent their respective establishments.

The wintertime, starting in November, is a popular season for temporary workers to find a job. The most common of winter jobs arises with the commencement of ski and snowboard season. These winter sports create sizeable demand for restaurant, resort and retail employees, not to mention ski and snowboard instructors, all within small mountainside towns around the country. However, if cutting through powder and hitting the moguls does not sound like fun there are other opportunities available during this time of year.

Retail outlets, within and far away from ski resorts, often look for seasonal employees to help handle the manic rush of shoppers that bombard malls and retail districts during the holiday season. These jobs vary in length, but are usually shorter commitments than ski resort jobs. These are perfect opportunities for high school and college student on winter break to make some extra cash and even get a discount on their family shopping. Retail positions also offer more flexibility because retail stores open earlier and close later during the holiday season creating more shifts. Restaurants also see larger crowds during the holiday season as families get together for dinner to celebrate.

Ample opportunity exists in the warmer time of year as well. An increasingly popular form of employment is the camp counselor. As camp attendance grows at a rate of 10% per year (according to the American Camping Association), seasonal workers are enticed to take on various responsibilities from maintenance to arts and crafts. Working at a camp can become a regular summer opportunity for those who are encouraged to return the following summer, based on their conduct. Camps offer an outdoors, active environment to interact with children and make a bit of extra money to go out with your co-workers on the weekends.

A less traveled path for prospective employees over the summer is not your typical pool or resort job, but an office job. As current employees leave the country to go on family vacations, offices look to replace crucial members of their organization for a period of a couple of weeks to several months. Volunteer work and non profit organizations are always a great way to gain experience and meet interesting people, but may not be for those who are strapped for cash.

It is important for seasonal workers to know when they will be needed and when they will have to apply or make a phone call to their employer. This process should be started in the months preceding the relevant season. For retail jobs, where increased volumes of shoppers arrive starting after Thanksgiving, applications should be submitted before the first of November. For summer jobs, especially at camps, make sure to make arrangements by the beginning of May.

There are many reasons to look for a seasonal job. Short-term commitments give you the opportunity to learn a lot and gain valuable experience without the constraints of permanent work. If you are not sure of your career path, a seasonal job can help you get your foot in the door and make a long lasting impression while testing a new occupation. Even if you choose to change paths, a seasonal job can always help build a resume and add to a long list of references.