A must-have guide on how to create a resume for a seasonal job

There are specific periods during the year when companies need additional employees to keep their businesses running. For instance, a ski resort may need additional ski guides during the winter season, while theme parks and water parks may hire ride operators and janitorial staff during the summer. These short-term contracts are open to everyone and are particularly popular among students, part-time workers, or people looking to supplement their income. 

Seasonal job resumes differ slightly from those you might write for full-time or part-time jobs. They’re usually short and direct, focusing on immediate relevancy and availability rather than long-term career progression. Seasonal employers are looking for people who can start work immediately with minimal training. Read on for an overview of seasonal jobs and how to quickly draft a resume and apply for these roles. 

A few things to know about seasonal jobs 

Seasonal jobs are a great way to improve your hands-on skills and have fun while you’re doing it. You can work across many industries, from retail and tourism to construction and manufacturing. An advantage of seasonal jobs is that companies are usually open to entry-level candidates, so you may not need prior experience. 

Here are some benefits of taking up a seasonal job: 

• It could kickstart your career, especially if you’ve just graduated or about to and are looking for jobs. 
• It can offer flexibility and autonomy, especially when traveling and working. 
• It’s a great way to supplement your income, especially if you work multiple part-time jobs. 
• It can help you gain many transferable skills that you can use in future jobs.
• It’s a great way to network with people in the industry. 

Seasonal jobs can last from a few weeks to a few months. Companies experience peak seasonal demand during these periods, increasing workloads and working hours, so they look for flexible and adaptable employees. You should also take note of federal minimum wage, overtime pay, and tax laws that come into effect when you’re working for seasonal and recreational establishments. 

How to create a resume for a seasonal job

Before creating a resume for a seasonal job, remember that companies are looking for short, to-the-point, one-page resumes they can swiftly scan to make quick hires. While resumes for full-time roles usually emphasize career paths and objectives, when writing a seasonal job resume, focus on your availability and what you can offer. 

Following this step-by-step guide can help you create a seasonal resume:

Mention your contact details

Include your contact details, such as name, address (city and state), email address, and phone number so the employer can contact you to proceed further. Here’s an example: 

John Stramer
 Goodland, Kansas
 555-555-555
 johnstramer12@email.com

Include your resume summary

A resume summary for a seasonal job highlights your skills and experiences and your availability. Limit this to two or three lines. Below is an example: 

Energetic and passionate skiing enthusiast with foundational ski safety and equipment maintenance training. Worked as a ski technician last winter at Great Heights, Colorado. Seeking the role of a ski guide at Mountain View Resort, Colorado, for December through April. 

“Before creating a resume for a seasonal job, remember that companies are looking for short, to-the-point, one-page resumes they can swiftly scan to make quick hires.”

Make sure your resume summary is straightforward and to the point. Employers need to go through several job applications quickly, so make it easy for them and improve your chances of success.

Add your experience in reverse chronological order 

The experience section should highlight your past seasonal jobs. Arrange them in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top. For each seasonal job, mention the position, employer name, employment duration, and responsibilities for each role. It also helps to quantify your contributions and achievements in each role. Here’s an example: 

Ski technician
 Great Heights, Colorado
 November 2022-April 2023

• Performed routine and emergency maintenance on over 200 pieces of ski equipment weekly
• Assisted customers in selecting the appropriate ski equipment based on their skill level and skiing conditions
• Managed inventory and supplies and kept track of equipment availability

Outdoor activities coordinator
 Mountain Trails Resort, Colorado
 May 2022-October 2022

• Organized and led outdoor recreational activities, including hiking and beginner mountain biking, for over 1500 guests 
• Managed equipment inventory and performed regular maintenance checks
• Conducted orientation sessions on trail safety, environmental policies, and emergency procedures

It’s okay if you have no prior experience. You can always list your volunteering experiences to enhance your resume by following the same format as above. 

List your core skills

After you’ve listed your job experience, add your core skills and the competencies that qualify you for the job. Since seasonal jobs vary, you may have acquired different skills from each job. In this section, list all your transferable skills, such as equipment maintenance, inventory management, customer service, safety protocols, strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration. 

You can also mention additional qualities such as knowing multiple languages, which is a plus if you’re working seasonal jobs in the tourism sector. 

Add relevant certifications 

Employers don’t usually look for educational qualifications or degrees when hiring for seasonal jobs, but they might expect you to hold relevant certifications. For instance, if you’re applying for the role of a ski guide, a certification from the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors might be mandatory. Or if you’re applying for the lifeguard position, then Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification would likely be necessary. List your certifications relevant to the job just below the skills section. 

Some final pointers for your resume

Here are some pointers to help you polish your seasonal job resume:

• Highlight your availability: Clearly state your availability for the seasonal period, including exact start and end dates. 
• Focus on relevancy: Customize your resume to the specific job by including only the most relevant experiences and skills. 
• Quantify achievements: Quantify your contributions in past roles to highlight your impact and capabilities. 
• Keep it concise: Limit your resume to one page to make it easier for employers to scan through quickly. 
• Show adaptability: List skills demonstrating your ability to quickly adapt to new environments and work conditions, as employers may want to get you started with minimal training. 

When you’ve written your resume, proofread and check for consistency in font sizes, headers, bullet points, and alignment. You can also run it by a friend or a family member to make sure it’s appropriate. A well-written, error-free resume indicates you’ve put in the effort, you have strong communication and attention to detail skills, and you’re professional. 

When to apply

Industries have different peak periods when they need additional help. For instance, a ski resort may have open positions from November to April, while amusement parks may hire in the summer months. Follow careers pages and social media channels to keep abreast of open positions. Apply a few months before peak season to improve your chances of success. 

You can use our step-by-step guide to draft your resume and have it ready before companies start hiring for their next peak season. Most companies will schedule an interview to get to know you better. Ensure you arrive in plenty of time, and emphasize your flexibility and adaptability during the interview, as these are vital to seasonal jobs. 

If you’re looking to apply, you can find relevant seasonal jobs at CareerBuilder by filtering job type, salary, location, and more options. 

More tips to help you find seasonal jobs 

Looking for seasonal jobs with great pay? Here’s a list of high-paying seasonal jobs.

What jobs can you take up for the holidays? Review these holiday jobs and how to find them. 

Here are seven great jobs if you’ve graduated or are about to.