Seasonal workers stand out through work ethic

Question: What are some ways seasonal workers can boost their chances of getting hired?

Answer: Come prepared with references. Maybe they don’t have a previous "official" job, but they have worked with their family or friends, possibly baby-sitting or helping around the house. A teacher can even be a reference to provide insight into the candidate’s work ethic and attitude. Present yourself in a way that shows you at your best: excited to learn with a positive attitude.

Q: How can applicants look like an ideal employee for a first-time or seasonal position?

A: Real life always beats the resume, so make sure you ask to schedule interviews so that the prospective employer can experience you firsthand. Work ethic can make up for any lacking credentials on paper. Make sure the employer knows that you are a person who is willing to learn, because any lacking experience can be taught to someone eager to take on the necessary skills. Someone who is interested in multiple tasks and learning a variety of skill sets is always a good asset to any team, so make sure they know you are that person.

Q: What are some do’s and don’ts for first-time or seasonal worker?

A: Do make sure that customer service and common sense are among your core set of skills. No matter what your industry, excellent customer service is essential for success. Make sure you understand what is appropriate by getting clear goals for your position and reviewing company standards. My mantra is simple for my first-timers: Make the customer happy.

Don’t forget to look at any past part-time positions as one of the first options for seasonal work. Many employers like to draw from a pool of workers who are already familiar with the company, and this will make training and transition much quicker and easier for everyone.

Q: Will employers keep in touch?

A: Absolutely make sure your employer has a way to contact you again. Seasonal employees are a cache of talent if the company has full-time hiring needs in the future. The company already has work-based evidence that certain employees would be a good fit for the permanent team, and (this) can save time that would have otherwise been devoted to resumes and interviews. Make sure to check in with the company to update your contact info if it changes; this also helps you stay on top of (the employer’s) mind for hiring needs as they arise.

Q: What is the best way for employers to train seasonal and first-time workers?

A: On-the-job training is the best way to teach seasonal and first-time workers the skill sets of any position.

They can learn by doing, with skilled super-vision, and be compensated for their time. Have a qualified staff member show them how to do their daily tasks in a hands-on training period. If necessary, implement short certification programs so that there are clear skill sets and goals to meet.

Have managers and superiors set clear goals and regularly test workers’ proficiency. Add more responsibility as they achieve each goal.

Encourage first-time workers to move up the ranks by providing clear benchmarks for how that can be done. Encourage upward mobility within your company.