The holidays usually mean an influx of seasonal, temporary jobs in the Caribbean — are you prepared?
The winter holidays usually mean a time of giving back to the community, spending time with loved ones and, for temp workers, a slew of seasonal gigs that can help them save a little extra income.
Whether you already have a full-time job and you’re looking to earn a little cash on the side or you regularly stick to temporary jobs to make a living, Caribbean Employment Services Inc. wants to help you get prepared for the season ahead with these simple tips.
How to get a seasonal job in the Caribbean
1. Prepare your resume
The best way to get ahead is to be prepared in advance. That means going over your resume and making sure it is up to date.
Tailor it to highlight your areas of expertise and any transferable skills that can be used for a wide range of positions. For example, soft skills like:
- Excellent communication
- Being a team player
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability or flexibility
- Being a fast learner
“You may think it’s too early because the job postings haven’t started coming in earnest yet, but rest assured they will and you want to be prepared,” says Joseph Boll, Caribbean Employment Services Inc. CEO.
“You don’t want to be the person scrambling to fix your resume or write a cover letter when the job postings start, because someone who is prepared will get ahead of you.
“And, you never know when an opportunity you didn’t expect can come knocking. Make sure you have your resume prepared now.”
2. Exhaust your resources
Similarly to the first step, the key to landing great seasonal opportunities is to be prepared — as in being in the right place at the right time.
This can be done by exhausting the job search resources at your disposal to increase your chances of being the first one to know when a position opens.
Resources like Caribbean Employment post new job openings frequently, and you can sign up for notifications to receive an email or text as soon as a job you may be interested in is posted.
“Don’t just wait for someone you know to happen to reach out about an opening, which happens all too often in many Caribbean countries,” says Boll.
“Frequently check online sites like Caribbean Employment or other online websites you can trust like Government job boards.
“Read newspaper ads. See if any stores have ‘wanted’ signs up or even ask them directly if they are hiring for the Christmas. You can’t go wrong by being proactive about this.”
3. Apply early
This is why keeping yourself abreast of new opportunities is so crucial.
You should apply the second you believe a job would be a good match for you.
Especially in the current global economy and labour market, competition can be fierce. Being the first to know about and apply for a position increases your chances dramatically, along with having your resume prepared to provide at a moment’s notice.
“Even if you’re not successful, your dedication and eagerness may stick with a company enough for them to keep your information on record for the next opening,” Boll says.
“Remember, a lot of temporary positions lead into full-time jobs with benefits, if that is what you are interested in.”
Find the latest jobs in the Caribbean via Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
