Seasonal Work for Freelancers
Find seasonal work to help increase your income this year
Working Season
Have you ever thought about seasonal employment? Are you familiar with the term? Well, whether you’ve not had that thought before or you’re already familiar with this type of work, it is great to become aware of the opportunities out there. No matter if you decide to take them. Better safe than sorry, right?
In this brief article, we will explore the idea of seasonal employment and consider the kinds of temporary work available during holidays or summer vacations. Who knows – maybe that might be an employment idea appropriate for freelancers such as yourself!
The Importance of Timing
Do you think time influences the quality of employment available? We truly hope you do, because otherwise, you are likely to miss out on the many opportunities available during different seasons of the year. So, let’s think for a moment. When do you think is the best time to find seasonal employment for the Christmas period? Should you look for it at the beginning of September or wait till December to make your first move? Of course, the earlier you start looking, the more likely you are to find it. Temporary positions are usually advertised up to three months before the employment would take place. This does not mean, however, that you won’t find any opportunities closer or during the considered season. It is just that you might be less likely to get them.
An important note to make here is that however willing you might be to find an additional job or side hustle to gain income from, it should not affect your ongoing employment or negatively influence your work-life balance. Although this might sound difficult at first, it is necessary to pay close attention to it. You should not look for a job for the sake of the job. In other words, put your well-being and ongoing commitments first.
Types of Seasonal Jobs
Each season brings along a different variety of jobs available, so your decision to find temporary employment should be based on the interest you have in a particular area. For example, during the Christmas season, you are much more likely to find a temporary job in retail than during the summertime, when the hospitality industry booms with its need for more ‘hands on deck’. So, what kind of employment are you looking for?
During Christmas time, freelancers are likely to find additional workload in the marketing and fundraising sectors of the industry. This is because over the course of these magical twenty-five days of December advertising efforts of companies skyrocket. It’s the time of the year for it. Similarly, due to the yearly struggle of so many charity organizations, Christmas time is a great opportunity for freelancers to gain paid or voluntary employment in the charitable sector. You are likely to join a team of fundraisers, produce advertising materials for charity campaigns, or simply help out in one of the hubs supporting those in need.
As you can see, depending on the time of the year, seasonal work for freelancers will vary. That is why you should consider in advance what type of employment you are looking for. Whether you’d like to get paid for graphic design or would prefer to make a few pounds while helping out in a holiday resort, finding out the opportunities in advance will raise your chances and provide you with a good sense of understanding. You will be more likely to get the job there and then if you know where and when to look.
Obligations of a Seasonal Worker
What can you expect of a seasonal contract? This is one of the questions which in its difficulty can easily express the biggest trick of temporary employment. The last thing we want for you is to be employed without a contract and not paid after your job is done. That is why we need to briefly consider the difference between the temporary work contract and a full-time/part-time employment contract you are probably familiar with.
Becoming someone’s employee means you’re working for them in exchange for certain benefits (eg. wage, discount, promise of career development). Although you might expect a temporary contract to be rather similar to your previous or present permanent contract, you have to stay vigilant when signing or agreeing to anything. After all, without a mutual understanding, you are likely to find yourself in a win-lose situation.
The few areas of temporary employment that might cause a difficult situation along the way are health insurance, contract signing, obligations priority, and leaving-the-position regulations. Our advice on the matter is this: ensure you have health insurance in place, sign a physical copy of the contract after a thorough read, stay transparent about your ongoing obligations and put them in priority, and understand the rules under which you can leave or be dismissed from the job.
Consider Your Career
It is always a good idea to think about your future. What kind of experience will you gain from the temporary work you’re about to do? Considering seasonal jobs or freelance work on the side, you should always reflect on your motivations. Are you going to grow as a person in this position or are you here only for the money? Understanding this will help you to make informed decisions.
Whilst some of the temporary positions are simply money-making efforts, others might allow you to develop certain skills and gain valuable experience to advance your career. The challenge for you is to tell the one type from the other. If you’re an aspiring digital artist, then doing voluntary work for a fundraising campaign might be something for you, but if your career aims to become a financial advisor, working at the Christmas market will only provide you with an additional income. So, figure out what type of experience you wish to have and find the right temporary position!
Time to Reflect
Do you think this kind of temporary employment is for you after all? By now, you should understand seasonal work a little better. So, what are your thoughts? Is this something you’d like to try? Think whether it is viable for you to pursue this kind of job during your freelancing or full-time employment. For some, this might work just fine. For others, it can be an obstacle to overcome. So, think of these ideas and consider whether you’d like to try to take on a temporary workload. To learn great techniques in our article, ‘How to Reflect On Your Year’.
Before You Go
If you’ve enjoyed this article, check out the one about working over Christmas to get ready for the holiday season! And if you’re looking for a freelancing platform that provides you great flexibility, join Revolancer today!
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer