Finding Seasonal Jobs

There are many reasons why you may be looking for a seasonal job. Perhaps you are attending school and can only work in the summers. Maybe you are between jobs at the moment and want to earn a bit of extra cash until a position in your field is available.

Whatever the reason, there is a wide variety of seasonal or temporary jobs available year round which might be just what you are looking for.

Of course the most obvious time for extra work is around the holiday season when retailers hire for the Christmas rush. However, there are temporary jobs available year round.

Dress up as Santa Claus: If you can produce a robust Ho Ho Ho, you are in with a good chance of getting a job. Don't think that the positions for Santas are only at malls, there are opportunities at Christmas parties for both for adults and children. If this is a line you wish to pursue as a line of self employment, it might be advantageous to purchase your own good quality Santa suit.

Become an Elf: Where would Santa be without his elf helpers? Whereas Santa is always seen as a job for a man, I have seen men and women who were Santa's little helpers.

Window painting Christmas scenes: How are your painting skills? Can you paint a nativity or other festive scene on a shop window? This type of work is scheduled well ahead so you can even take time out of your current employment to do this. I use to work with a lady who did this every year. Part of her annual vacation time was taken during late November and early December and she and another artist painted the windows of several stores. They did fantastically well out of it and enjoyed every minute of it.

Carol singing: This is a great one for the kids. Consider going carol singing door to door. This has a short lived season as I always felt it was too cheeky to go out carol singing before the middle of December. My children did this with their friends and earned a tidy sum from it. This is a good time to bring up the idea of giving part of their earnings to a charity. Some will say 10% and others up to 50%.

Jobs in retail: Christmas time is the busiest shopping time and as such extra help is needed for a short time during this time of year. Start looking in October to see who is hiring for the Christmas rush. It isn't just the bricks and mortar stores though, online retails will also be bringing in more people to cover the climb in sales.

Delivery Drivers: Companies such as FedEx, DHL and other delivery companies always increase their workforce at this time to cope with the increased demand. Their websites have information about when and how to apply for these seasonal job opportunities.

Sell Christmas Trees: Can you stand on a lot and sell Christmas trees? This may be working for yourself or for a larger company. This will be work for only a month.

It is easy to think that all seasonal jobs entail working for someone else, this however isn't the case. You can take advantage of the change in seasons and be self employed. Amongst the ideas you will see a variety of opportunities where you can be your own boss and set your own work schedule.

Snow Chains. Do you live near a ski resort or in a snowy area? This is a bit of an opportunistic job and it isn't always guaranteed. If there is an advisory to put on snow chains, many people don't know how to do this and will willing pay you to do it for them. There is usually a lay-by where people aren't allowed to proceed forward without the use of snow tires or chains. This is your place of work. As people are drawn to the mountains in search of the fresh powdery snow, you can earn some quick cash.

Ski resorts: At the ski resorts there are jobs as instructors, lift operators, restaurant staff, and cleaning staff. Usually your accommodation and ski passes are thrown in. In Europe you can also be in charge of the chalets where you would be expected to clean and cater for the guests staying there.

Fence Repair: As the wind picks up, so does the opportunity for fence repair. Wooden fences blow over and need to be repaired quickly. Most homeowners would rather call someone in winter than try and repair it themselves when it is cold outside.

The Easter Bunny: Just as with Santa , every year you will see people dressed up as the Easter Bunny to pose for pictures with young cooperative, and some less cooperative children. If you like kids and can act in an animated way, consider becoming an Easter Bunny.

Tax Time: Are you qualified to help people complete their tax forms? If not, the offices which do will need extra support staff at this time.

IRS: There are always extra hands needed at their busiest time to get the returns out in a timely fashion.

Gardening Services: Spring is the time to kick off a gardening service. This can take you across 3 seasons if you desire. It isn't just about mowing and weeding. There are trees to prune, seeds to sow, and sprinklers to install.

Beach lifeguard: Perhaps you are still qualified as a lifeguard and could use this during the summer. If you love to go to the beach during the summer consider earning from it as well.

Childminder: As schools get out for summer, parents need to find suitable childcare. Can you have a couple in your home?

Children's summer camps: As above, when the kids are out of school, many employment opportunities are available caring and entertaining them.Jobs at summer camps are a popular choice for young adults to get temporary work.

Farm Laborer: Many of the farms will need help as some early crops will require picking at this time of year. This is usually hard work.

Busking: Do you like being the center of attention? Great, that is exactly what you need to be. Can you sing, play and instrument or dance? Consider busking in a shopping area. Crowds will gather and give you money if they feel you are worthy of it.

Chalk Pavement Drawings: As above, if you feel you have a talent, use it. Check with your local council to see if any permission is needed to do this otherwise you could be spending your earnings on bail money.

Harvesting Fruit and Vegetables: There is always work in the fields for those who are prepared to work hard. Whether you are picking apples, berries, or pumpkins.

Pumpkin Patch: As families prepare for Halloween, pumpkin growers will need extra help. Often school trips are a popular outing and help will be needed to cope on the weekdays not just the weekends. This is likely to last the entire month of October.

Turkey Farms: As Thanksgiving rolls ever closer, the need for extra turkeys is generated and so too is extra work.

The best place to start looking for jobs with companies is via their websites. For employment over the Christmas season, begin looking in September. This gives the company time to hire and train you.

The local paper is also a good place to look as well for smaller firms who may not have a website.

Word of mouth, friends and family members. Let them know that you are looking and when you are available.

Contact your local council. Often they will have a list of people they contact for occasional work. This could be anything from working with the public at events to picking litter up afterwards.