We’ve been hearing some negative feedback from veterans in the ski industry about rookie seasonaires.
It seems a lot of rookie seasonal workers haven’t worked out there are mutual obligations in ski towns.
Employers have an obligation to provide their staff with enough hours and enough pay to live in frugal comfort. Sorry kids, you don’t get to live the rock star lifestyle on entry level wages. There’s also an unwritten rule that employers should provide enough ski time for their staff. Managers who don’t, risk losing staff mid-season.
In other words employers have an obligation to make the ski season enjoyable for their staff, and not send a young seasonaire broke.
In return, employees have obligations as well. These obligations aren’t complicated. When you are scheduled to work, you need to show up, in a reasonable condition, and do your job to the best of your ability.
Taking powder days off and / or showing up to work hopelessly hungover and reeking of vodka means you aren’t fulfilling your side of the mutual obligations deal.
A very high percentage of hiring managers and employers were once young rookies. They don’t expect perfection, and they know you’re in town to have some fun. You don’t need to be a tea totalling saint who lives for their job, but employers won’t tolerate selfish unreliable employees. If you get a warning about your performance at work, it’s serious. You’ll rarely get a second one.
Seasonal workers also need to work as a team. If you don’t show up, a team mate misses a day skiing to cover your shift. That’s forgivable if you are genuinely sick, but if you’re skiing or too hungover to work, that’s a big problem.
Ski towns are small towns too. If you do get fired, picking up another job in the same town can be really difficult. Employers and hiring managers know each other, and a bad reputation is a something that sticks.
So what does this mean for very young job hunters? Unfortunately this does mean your age is a disadvantage.
What can an 18-21 year old do about it? These things help.
- Show the hiring manager you are a reliable employee with strong references from past employers.
- If you have a history of volunteering mention this in your CVs
- Show employers that you have prepared well for the role. See. How to nail your interview.
- Follow the hiring process. If the employer wants a cover letter include a cover letter.
- Have a conservative photo on your application / CV / Resume. See This post about suitable photos.
And showing “intent” is absolutely crucial. Sending off a resume means very little these days. It takes 2 minutes work. A resume + a work visa + purchased air tickets or a firm arrival date shows you’re committed. Getting job-specific qualifications by doing a wilderness first aid course or attending a chalet cooking school lets employers know you are very serious about their jobs.
So in summary, it’s not impossible for very young people to get and keep your first ski industry job. The secret is to act 10 year older than you are. If you’re 18 and come across as a 28 year old. employers will give you an opportunity. If’ you’re 21 going on 16, the hiring manager will spot it a mile off.