With summer fast approaching, now is probably the best time to start looking for companies offering seasonal light industrial jobs. As the economy continues to improve, you can expect to see more employers, particularly in construction, warehousing, and production facilities, to offer temporary openings for positions such as:
- Assemblers;
- Production operators;
- Forklift operators;
- Inventory clerks;
- Quality control technicians;
- Welders;
- Machine operators, and more.
While these jobs are a great way for college students and people between jobs to be productive over the summer, it’s important to know what exactly you’re signing up for. Many employment agencies know that while the demand for seasonal jobs is high, these positions still come with their own pros and cons, which we’ll look at in this post.
Pros
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It’s a Great Way to Pad Your Resume
Summer jobs are great for filling in gaps on your resume and building your experience. If you’re aiming for a career in sales and marketing, for example, a stint doing clerk work — even if temporary — can be a great way to gain experience and differentiate yourself from the competition. Two to three months of work as an inventory clerk or cashier can be enough of a stepping stone to move up the career ladder.
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You Can Grow with a Company and See if You Belong There
Similar to on-the-job internships, a seasonal job in a new facility can be a great way to get your feet “wet” in the industry and grow alongside a company. With a newer organization, a part-time job could be an opportunity to be placed on a shortlist of candidates for full-time positions as the company continues to grow.
And while you’re at it, working part-time job lets you know if that organization is one you would actually want to work for, full-time, in the future.
Cons
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The Pay (Usually) Leaves a Lot to be Desired
Because most seasonal jobs are for positions that don’t require a lot of knowledge or specialized training, the salary tends to be on the low end. If you don’t have work, there’s not much to complain about — it’s an opportunity to get paid. However, if you’re at a point in your career where you think your extra time would be better spent someplace else — your family, your day job, or continuing education, for example — you should perhaps reconsider.
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The Schedule can be Tough
Aside from the low pay, seasonal jobs often entail working tough schedules. For example, the spring and summer months can see a spike in retail due to tourist activity, which, for warehouses, also means an increase in shipment activity.
If you’re already keeping a full-time job, you might end up having to give up your free time. If you’re not working, you could be working long hours (with overtime) for a less than stellar salary.
With summer jobs, the key considerations often involve time and salary. Be sure to temper your expectations and see these temporary roles as an opportunity to build your resume and experience. If you need help with your job search, the staffing specialists of Top Notch Personnel can things up by connecting you with our network of local employers. Contact us today to learn more about our staffing services.
