Job Seeker FAQs

Q. What will I find at SeasonalJobs.com?
A.

SeasonalJobs.com is an international database of seasonal job openings for students to seasoned workers. A seasonal job is a great way to help pay the bills and serves as a great introduction to a company. But we at SeasonalJobs.com also recognize that these "temporary" positions can be the first step on the journey to a new career. We feature positions from around the world that give job seekers the chance to experience a new location and meet interesting people with similar interests, while learning new skills. You may search the jobs database by keyword or browse by geographical location.

You may search the jobs database by keyword and location here: Find Jobs


Q. How do I find a job on your site?
A.

SeasonalJobs.com does not match job seekers with employers. But we have several tools that will help you find a job.

You may search for jobs on SeasonalJobs.com by keyword/s and location using the Find Jobs feature from the top navigation bar, if you have a specific type of job in mind. For example, if you are looking for a Sales Person position, you might use "Sales" or "Retail" as your keyword. Then choose the city or country in which you are looking for a job.

You may also choose to browse Jobs by Region if your priority is to work in a specific part of the country/world. This feature allows you to narrow down your job search geographically.

When you find a job on SeasonalJobs.com that interests you, please follow the instructions on the job posting to apply for the position.


Q. I am a British hospitality graduate looking to work in America. Do you offer placements, internships or full time employment to British graduates? If not, do you have any contacts that employ British graduates that may be useful?
A.

Students or recent graduates from the U.K. and Europe may be eligible to come to the U.S. on a J-1 Visa for practical training or apprentice work. Many hotels, ski resorts, summer camps and restaurants are able to hire qualified students or recent graduates. Due to immigration constraints most of these positions are limited to a year in length. It is difficult to find a permanent, full-time job in the hospitality industry in the U.S. if you are a recent graduate unless you already have permission to work in the United States. Your best bet for getting into the U.S. in the hospitality industry is to work with a large ski resort, large hotel chain or resort. These companies usually work with the U.S. government to secure up to several hundred work visas each year for seasonal workers. Finally, you should visit the BUNAC or CIEE websites. Each of these companies works to help find visas and/or work experiences for students and recent graduates.


Q. Do you have any jobs for 14 year olds?
A.

If you are under 18 years of age you are restricted from doing certain types of work, and if you are under 14 years of age then you may not be able to work legally at all.

The requirements for work permits and proof of age vary from state to state. Some states don't require the job seeker to have a work permit or proof of age (e.g., Oregon puts the burden on the employer hiring minors to get certified), but many states require employees under the age of 18 to provide proof of age or to hold a work permit.

We have resources on SeasonalJobs.com that provide some detail, but teens in school can also visit a school guidance counselor for more information and, in many cases, to get an actual permit. Also, keep in mind that there are federal and state regulations that limit what teens of certain ages can do in the workplace. Teens under 14 cannot legally work outside of the entertainment industry or a family-run business/farm and teens between 14-16 may be prohibited from some more dangerous tasks - like working a grill, operating heavy machinery or using knives.

Employers will typically understand what teens of certain ages can and cannot do and will hire accordingly, but the laws are set up to protect teens, so it is always good to know what you shouldn't be asked to do on the job.

If a child is under the age of 14 and isn't legally old enough for non-farming work but still wants to earn money for the summer then parents can help them take an entrepreneurial path - babysitting, gardening work for family friends, creating and selling a service or product, etc.


Q. Do all of the employers on your site realize that there may be candidates from other countries looking for jobs? Are the employers ready to help applicants from your sites obtain working visas? I'm from Russia and this is not the easiest country to leave without a visa.
A.

Many of the companies who list jobs on SeasonalJobs.com do realize that candidates from other countries will be applying for their job openings. Some employers will work with a qualified candidate to arrange a work visa. However, it is extremely difficult for employers to sponsor visas for employees unless they are filling a special need that cannot be filled by the local population. This is true for much of Western Europe and North America. However, many Eastern European and Asian countries have slightly less restrictive policies. We ask employers who use the site to indicate whether or not they will accept applicants from any country, but many of them do not include this information. Your best option is to identify the job openings that best match your skills and qualifications and then to contact the employer directly to find out if you are eligible to apply for the job opening. You should also plan ahead and try to obtain a work visa many months before your work starts. It can take several months to get approval for a visa. For a fee certain organizations, like BUNAC (http://www.bunac.org/uk/summercampusa/) and CIEE (http://www.ciee.org/) can help you obtain a work visa to go overseas or come to the U.S..


Q. Do I need to send a full resume to respond to seasonal job offers on your site or can I just send an email?
A.

Yes, you should create a well-presented resume/CV. Even if you don't have any experience yet a resume is a great way to show that you are active and interested in different subjects and to show that you are organized and able to write well. Make sure your resume uses perfect English grammar and is consistent and clear. The best way to get rejected for a job is with a poor resume.


Q. I don't really understand what the employer is offering me. Do I need a contract?
A.

Maybe. Make sure that you fully understand what the employer will expect of you before you take a job. You should also fully understand what you will be doing in your job, how much you will be paid, work hours, etc. In some cases you might want a contract, especially when working overseas, so that you fully understand the terms of your employment. If you are being offered travel benefits or end of season bonuses then a contract is a good idea.


Q. The employer wants me to secure my employment with a deposit or to pay for housing in advance. What should I do?
A.

Never, ever pay an employer or recruiter to find you a job, reserve your job or as a deposit on housing. The job market is still very strong for job seekers and you shouldn't need to pay to find a job or to access jobs. Be careful of employers who seem suspicious and unprofessional and use your best judgment when sending money or private documents to employers found on our site or anywhere else. If you feel a request by an employer is unreasonable you should use caution and ask the employer for more information or references.


Q. I got a job offer overseas and I live in the U.S.. Can I just go work there for a season without a visa or do I need permission from the government?
A.

It is very likely that you will need a valid work visa, though many students arrange to work without following the laws of the country in which they are working. While this is common we do not recommend this approach as you will have no legal recourse in the event that the employer mistreats you, unreasonably terminates you or withholds benefits or pay. Your safest approach is to work with the employer to learn the local immigration laws and to have them assist you in obtaining the proper paperwork. Make sure you understand visa and immigration requirements before taking a job abroad. The above tips about not paying money to employers are even more important when working abroad.


Q. How do I send my resume to an employer using email? What documents should I include?
A.

When applying to jobs on-line include your resume as text as part of your email, and also as a text attachment. Many employers do not want to open attachments because of the fear of viruses so make sure your resume is in text format as part of your original email. Also include a short, descriptive cover letter as part of your email that says a little about yourself and why you want the job. You can type the cover letter in your email as you would a normal email message and then follow the cover letter with the body of your resume. As always, use spell check and make sure your cover letter uses proper English grammar.


Q. I haven't heard back from any employers. What do I do?
A.

Many employers are overwhelmed by the response from applicants on our site and cannot respond to everyone. When you send your resume and cover letter it is appropriate to mention a follow up time and method in your cover letter. For example, you might write "Thank you for your time and consideration. Please review my resume and let me know if you have any questions. I will follow up in two weeks by email or phone to see if you need any more information about me and my qualifications." Keep track of who you send applications to and schedule a follow up time to send a second email or call to find out about your job application. Please use your best judgment when responding to employers and do not call or email them excessively, as it will most likely annoy them and hurt your chances of being hired. Be organized and persistent but do not become a nuisance.

Disclaimer These SeasonalJobs.com web pages are provided "as is" without express or implied warranty, including the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. No claim is made to the reliability or accuracy of information in the SeasonalJobs.com database. AboutJobs.com is not liable for any loss, damage arising directly or indirectly from the use or reliance on the information provided, or from use of any of the sponsors' products or services.

AboutJobs.com further disclaims any liability whatsoever for any information documentation, programs, software, or other material ("information") which is or may become a part of the SeasonalJobs.com website. User is hereby put on notice that by accessing and using this website User assumes the risk that the information and documentation contained on this website may be offensive, inaccurate, and/or incomplete, and/or may not meet the needs and requirements of the User.

The entire risk as to use of this website is assumed by the User.

For more information about SeasonalJobs.com, please contact us.