What’s the Difference Between Seasonal and Regular Employment?

November 28, 2022 | Career Blog

When searching for a job, you’re likely to come across the term “seasonal work,” particularly at certain times of the year. However, it can be tricky to understand the difference between seasonal and regular employment, especially since they’re so similar in many ways. 

Considering all aspects of seasonal positions can help you decide if this employment option is a good fit for your current career goals.

Seasonal vs. Regular Employment Explained

Seasonal employees are often hired during a business’s peak seasons when extra help is required to serve customers or fulfill orders. Most companies employ seasonal employees at a specific time each year.

For example, many customer service providers, call centers, and retail companies hire additional employees during the holiday season. Almost all seasonal jobs have a specific start and end date, and employees know that the company only plans to employ them for a set period of time.

Seasonal and temporary employment are similar. Temporary employment, however, can take place at any time of year, not only during a company’s busiest season.

• Temporary employees can be either part-time or full-time employees.
• A seasonal worker will almost always be a part-time employee.

Another big difference between seasonal and regular employment is that temporary workers might not have a set time frame for their job. Temporary workers may fill in for an employee on leave or until a permanent worker can be found for the position. Therefore, the time frame for the job can be open-ended.

• Temporary jobs can range from a length of a few weeks to several months or more.
• Seasonal jobs usually last 2-4 months.

What Are the Benefits of a Seasonal Job?

Seasonal positions are a fantastic option for several reasons.

1. Because seasonal jobs have a set time frame, you can plan around the role. For example, knowing your end date makes it easier to start looking for a new job while still working or to prepare for a new career adventure once the season ends.

2 These positions are an excellent way to fill gaps in your resume or work history or earn extra money. Plus, many seasonal positions include employee discounts for products or services!

3. A seasonal position is a great way to gain experience or see how you might enjoy different types of work. Many seasonal jobs offer training as you work, allowing you to pick up new skills that could benefit you down the road.

No matter whether you decide to stay in the industry where you are picking up seasonal work, the skills and experience you gain will look good on your resume.

4. Seasonal employment can help you see if you like a particular company. Working as a seasonal employee also makes it simpler to get your foot in the door at a company you’re interested in.

If the business owners appreciate your work, you may even be offered a permanent position at the end of your seasonal employment.

Things to Consider About Seasonal vs. Temporary Work

Like any regular part-time or full-time employee, a seasonal employee is eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week. However, most seasonal employees are hired on a part-time basis, so they’ll rarely be offered overtime.

Finding a seasonal position that offers benefits can also be difficult, as companies are not required by law to provide benefits for these positions.

However, one benefit is that seasonal and temporary employees often transition into regular, permanent roles at the end of the season. If you like the role, your employer likes your performance, and there is a post-season opening, you could be asked to stay on permanently.

Although many entry-level jobs offer permanent positions for seasonal workers, temporary workers may find it easier to transition into a permanent position. This is particularly true if a temporary worker is a full-time employee.

Pro Tips: Remember that, as a seasonal employee, you’ll be joining a company at its busiest time of year. You’ll be entering a fast-paced work environment. For many, this is exciting. But, keep in mind that the work environment could be completely different during slower periods of the year compared to the busy season.

Also, be mindful of the training you receive. Because it’s so busy during peak seasons, you may not receive training that’s as thorough as training offered during slower times of the year.

You may also be working alongside many other seasonal workers who are as new and inexperienced as you, which can sometimes make work more challenging since you’re all learning together.

Let’s Discuss the Difference Between Seasonal and Regular Employment

Whether you’re looking for seasonal, temporary, or full-time work, consider working with our team at Allegiance Staffing. We make the job search simple and less stressful because we excel at matching candidates with jobs that suit their skill sets and interests.

If you’d like to talk more about the difference between seasonal and regular employment to better understand which option fits your need, get in touch with us! You can contact Allegiance to learn more about the best opportunities available in your area.

You can also check out our Jobs Board to view positions near you. Let’s get started on finding a great job that fits your need.