Seasonal jobs suitable for gap year travellers are mainly to be found in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
Tourism
Tourism jobs in hotels, pubs and campsites across the world depend upon a staff of temporary workers. With a little experience in customer service it should be easy to find a summer job in, say, a European resort.
In some cases, knowledge of a second language may be necessary, and would almost certainly prove an advantage if a post required direct contact with foreign language speakers.
Campsites
British holiday firms hire people to stay on European campsites for several months as ’campsite couriers’. Responsibilities include looking after children, preparing tents and caravans for visitors, meeting and greeting visitors as they arrive and ironing out general teething problems.
This work is demanding, but there are no second language requirements. Similar roles are required of campsite counsellors in the US.
Ski resorts
The season in the European Alps stretches from around Christmas time to late April / early May, and is particularly busy between Christmas and New Year.
Jobs include work for resort representatives (who may need language skills), cooks, cleaners, ski instructors and child-minders. Wages can be low, but usually full board and unlimited skiing access are included.
Farming and agriculture
Farming is a very seasonal job and harvest time in particular is a time when farms take on many seasonal workers. From shearing sheep in New Zealand to picking fruit around the Mediterranean, there are several organisations willing to help you find farm work abroad.
Applying for seasonal jobs
Apply early for seasonal jobs, as they can get snapped up many months ahead of the start of the season (try to apply by March for jobs in the summer).
New
Zealand at the moment is enjoying a period of low
unemployment, which means that some of the lower
paid jobs, short term jobs or seasonal work
vacancies are difficult to fill.