Finding a job is a major concern. And when you have a seasonal job , it’s a concern that comes back every year…
Although nothing forces an employer to rehire the same seasonal workers from one year to the next, there are strategies that can be adopted to retain that well-liked employer.
“The main way,” according to Isabelle Girard, director general of the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT), “is to maintain good communication with the company during and after the season.” In the era of social media, there is nothing easier than getting regular news from potential employers.
Quebec has one of the highest rates of seasonal workers across Canada. More than 20,000 people had this status in Quebec in 2018. Seasonal workers have many stories: some like the idea of working outdoors rather than in an office, others like to have a long break after a period of intense work…
Expressing your interest in a company as early as possible is always a good idea, especially when starting out. “At the end of the season,” Isabelle Girard, “even as Thanksgiving approaches, don’t wait too long to show your interest.” Then it will also give your potential employer time to prepare for your arrival, especially for accommodation and transport, in some cases.
Seasonal workers who come back to the same company year after year are those who have shown their willingness during the season, and whose employers want to return the following year. “Regular seasonal workers have been working in their company for a long time,” Isabelle Girard believes. These are seasonal workers that the company can rely on and who will train and integrate recruits, Isabelle Girard says. “But there are always places available for newcomers who want to get started,” the director general emphasizes.
Finally, measures are being considered by industries with the highest need for seasonal workers to help keep their employees longer. These include exchanging employees between similar companies. For a seasonal job, this is an interesting way to acquire new skills that will also be used in the main company where you want to be hired year after year.