Top 10 Seasonal Part-Time Jobs
Top 10 Seasonal Part-Time Jobs
Seasonal part-time jobs offer a great opportunity for people to earn extra income, build on their skills, and have a better work-life balance.
Whether you’re a student looking for part-time work while on school break or a part-time worker looking for additional avenues of income, look no further.
This article will cover 10 seasonal part-time jobs you can consider applying for this year. Inside you’ll find details regarding each position, including the job responsibilities, average salaries, and skills, so that you can choose a position that suits you.
What are seasonal part-time jobs?
Seasonal work is temporary employment created to meet an organization’s needs during certain times of the year. These types of jobs are usually available around the same time every year. Seasonal work might include:
Work for businesses that are only open during a certain time of the year, such as snow plowing companies
Work for businesses that need extra workers during busy seasons, such as retailers during the holidays
Most seasonal work is part-time.
What’s the difference between full-time and part-time jobs?
Part-time work: Employees who are hired part-time work around 30 hours or less per week. These types of jobs can sometimes last only a couple of weeks, and they typically don’t offer as many employee benefits as full-time positions.
Full-time work: Employees who are hired full-time often work 40 hours per week or more. These types of jobs usually last a couple of years or more and also often come with numerous employee benefits.
Some of the most popular industries that offer seasonal part-time employment are tourism, retail, delivery, construction, food, and hospitality.
This type of work is perfect for the following people:
People who have a part-time job and are looking to earn some extra cash.
College students who are on school break.
People looking to get their foot in the door with a specific employer.
Benefits of working part-time
Here are some of the main benefits of working a part-time job.
Better work-life balance
One of the biggest benefits of working part-time is having a more flexible schedule and improved work-life balance. Since part-time work doesn’t take up as much time as full-time work, employees are free to pursue more extracurricular activities and spend more time with their families.
In 2020, the U.S. was ranked 13th on the list of countries with the worst work-life balance.
Part-time work gives U.S. citizens a chance to rectify this by working fewer hours — and in so doing, spending more time with their loved ones and pursuing other endeavors.
Open doors to new job opportunities
When there are no full-time positions available with an employer, part-time work gives a worker a chance to position themself as the obvious candidate when a full-time position becomes available.
Since the candidate will be gaining experience and training in the particular field, their employer may be inclined to hire them if they express an enthusiastic desire to learn.
Increase earning potential
Working part-time can help individuals make more money. This is especially true if they’re able to juggle more than one job at a time.
For example, a person who pairs a 20-hour-per-week gig with a 30-hour-per-week gig may earn a higher combined income than someone who has one full-time position.
Develop transferable skills
Part-time employees can learn numerous transferable skills during their employment. Transferable skills are skills that can be used in multiple careers. They include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills.
Learning these skills may help employees gain more meaningful and higher-income employment in the future.
Receive employee perks
Some employers offer perks to their part-time employees. These perks can include discounts on items, free weekday lunches, or digital coaching. Some employers offer more perks than others.
Best seasonal part-time jobs
Here’s a list of some of the best seasonal part-time jobs you can consider if you’re looking to work in a position under 30 hours a week.
Retail positions
1. Cashier
Cashiers are responsible for processing cash, credit, and debit transactions. They work at the cash register in retail environments. Some of their duties include balancing the cash register, recording purchases, and processing returns.
Retail companies such as Target and Walmart often need part-time cashiers during Christmas and other busy holiday seasons. You don’t need any formal education to become a part-time cashier, but you have to be good at basic math and customer service.
On average, cashiers earn around $11 per hour. Those with filing, order inventory, and retail skills can earn between 2% and 11% more.
2. Retail associate
Retail associates also work in the retail environment. They’re responsible for helping shoppers by answering questions about products, inventory, and discounts, etc. The demand for this position increases as the number of shoppers increases during the holiday season.
Employers may ask these associates to perform duties such as restocking inventory, helping at the registers during busy hours, and assisting with store-wide sales campaigns.
Part-time retail associate positions are usually entry-level and require only a high school diploma or equivalent. Some retailers may require previous experience in the retail industry to guarantee top customer service.
Retail associates earn an average of just over $12 per hour. Those with several years of experience can earn a few dollars more per hour.
3. Overnight stocker
Overnight stockers are responsible for restocking store shelves during non-business hours. As the demand for stock increases during the gift giving season, so does the demand for these retail sales support roles. Some of their duties include organizing stock on shelves, retrieving items from the back storage area, and removing defective items.
Overnight stockers work according to inventory policies regarding item rotation. Their shifts are usually overnight since the replenishing of items may require the use of trucks or pallets — which could take away from the customer experience. And more
This position often requires only a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates should also be able to lift heavy objects and have no problem with physical activity. On average, overnight stockers earn $13 per hour.
Independent contractor positions
4. Personal shopper
Personal shoppers often work independently and can have multiple clients at a time. Their tasks include meeting with clients and determining their needs, identifying appropriate items, and shopping on clients’ behalf.
Personal shoppers also need to build long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure repeat business. These professionals are hired throughout the year to purchase items such as clothing and furniture.
However, there’s often an increased demand for personal shoppers during holiday seasons, such as Christmas, when clients require gifts.
Personal shoppers don’t need a formal education. However, previous experience and a strong knowledge of the latest trends are things most clients look for. Personal shoppers earn an average of $12.50 per hour.
5. Delivery driver
Delivery drivers are responsible for transporting packages or items from a business to the end consumer. They often work as independent contractors within the retail or food industries.
Some of their duties include loading and transporting goods and using navigation tools. Delivery drivers need to have a valid driver’s license and no driving violations.
More delivery drivers are required during peak online shopping periods, such as Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas, due to more purchases being made. When hiring these drivers, companies tend to look for excellent customer service, driving, and organizational skills.
On average, delivery drivers earn around $16 per hour. They can earn more, however, depending on the tips they receive.
Corporate positions
6. Help desk worker
Help desk workers are needed for any company that produces or uses computer equipment and software. They’re mainly responsible for helping customers or colleagues when they run into technical difficulties.
Some of their duties involve identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving technical issues. Part-time help desk workers are often hired during peak sales periods, such as Christmas and Black Friday, when companies tend to sell more hardware and software.
Help desk workers earn an average of close to $18 per hour. They earn a higher-than-average hourly wage since many companies require them to have IT qualifications or several years of experience.
7. Telephone interviewer
Telephone interviewers work in a range of different industries — most often corporate industries to hire new employees. Since many positions tend to open up during busy seasons and holidays, more telephone interviewers are required during these times.
Some of a telephone interviewer’s duties are making outgoing calls and taking incoming calls, as well as asking scripted and ad hoc questions. Their main responsibility is to qualify candidates for in-person interviews.
People applying for this position require a high school diploma and excellent communication skills. On average, telephone interviewers earn close to $10 per hour. However, they can earn significantly more than this, depending on the industry they work in.
8. Administrative assistant
Administrative assistants are often hired within the corporate industry. They’re responsible for providing administrative duties, such as answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, and supporting visitors.
Many companies require administrative assistants during busy periods of the year. For example, a tax firm may hire administrative assistants during the tax season when workers require additional support due to an increase in the number of customers.
Most companies only require these professionals to have a high school diploma or GED. Administrative assistants earn an average of close to $17 per hour. However, their salary can depend on whether they work in-office or remotely.
Physical labor positions
9. Warehouse worker
Warehouse workers work inside the warehouses of different companies, including retail and manufacturing businesses. They’re responsible for many physical tasks, including restocking shelves, packing orders, and counting inventory.
Many companies require candidates to have previous warehouse worker experience. However, this isn’t always the case. Some of the top skills that companies look for in a warehouse worker include knowledge of inventory software, the ability to lift heavy objects, and good organizational and time-management skills.
The average warehouse worker earns around $15 per hour. But they can earn 10% more if they’re forklift-certified and 9% more if they have logistics skills.
10. Stagehand
Stagehands are laborers who work behind the scenes at theaters, playhouses, and other settings. They’re responsible for setting up and testing sound, lighting, and other stage equipment according to the producer’s instructions.
They also need to help performers backstage and make adjustments to sets between performances. The demand for stagehands tends to increase during the holiday season, when more traditional seasonal performances take place.
This job involves a lot of physical labor — which is why these individuals need to be able to work long hours on their feet and lift heavy objects. Educational requirements aren’t strict for this role.
However, depending on the type of setting they work in, some knowledge of different disciplines may be beneficial. For example, stagehands who have some audio knowledge may be better suited to musical production than those who do not.
On average, stagehands earn close to $19 per hour.
Search for seasonal part-time jobs
Part-time seasonal work can set you up for future success by teaching you valuable skills and allowing the company you work for to recognize your drive. It’s up to you to choose which position would best suit your aspirations.
Want to start looking for seasonal part-time jobs? Head over to Jobcase’s job board and type in the position you’re looking for alongside the words “part-time” to find open positions.
You can also take a look at these top 10 part-time jobs that offer great employee benefits.