Reentering the Job Force

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Permalink Reply by Don Talton on February 4, 2009 at 1:01pm

Depends on what you want to do....what you might think you want to do (or can do?) Resumes should
be short (and sweet) AND..where you might want to go... This is a good place to check all that out!. Good luck to you this season... remember...get ready NOW!.

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Permalink Reply by Carol B. on February 4, 2009 at 4:41pm

Thanks for tips. I shall try to be ready NOW ;) and I will keep my applications directed at the place and position I am looking for. So far I have tried Signal Mountain and Flagg Ranch. I have responses from both but both are finding it difficult if not impossible to process my application because I have not been working in over 5 years, so that is quite a gap. I shall keep trying and hoping.

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Permalink Reply by Carol B. on February 4, 2009 at 4:42pm

I also meant to say I have skills and experience in food and beverage, retail and clerical.

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Permalink Reply by NJL on February 6, 2009 at 2:38am

You may try GTLC, they have a posting on Cool Works now. If you're ready for a change immediately, look at the "Help Wanted Now" postings. Or go to web sites such as Vail Resorts.com or Rock Resorts.com, there are still ski resorts that will hire right now because their season isn't over. Check all of the tabs at the top of Cool Works home page and look for places you may want to go, then contact that employer and see if they have any positions open. Since your background is in food, retail and clerical, you should not have any problem getting a job.

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Permalink Reply by NJL on February 6, 2009 at 2:30am

Hi Carol, I'm not an expert, only worked 1 season in the Tetons, but if you know anyone who works in the seasonal jobs, give them for a reference. Call Signal Moun. or Flagg and give them a few names of neighbors, friends, Pastor, etc., they can call for a personal reference. Good luck!! I worked in 2007 and I'm really considering doing this again. I was working full time & have been cut to 25 hrs per week and don't even like what I'm doing. Also, you may want to call one of your previous employers and see if they will write you a letter of recommendation, then fax it to SM or Flagg. They are basically interested in your personality, how to interact with guests, employees, stable, responsible, good work habits, personable, etc. Each place you work will have their own way of doing things and different computer systems to learn. Just talking about it kinda makes me want to hit the road again. Either of those places you'll be close to Jackson and 99% of the people I met in Jackson were "down home", friendly people who want to know your life history in about 5 minutes. Other than the "locals" who've been there for years, the other % of population have moved from Texas, Ok., Fl., etc. I've pulled up for gas at service stations and someone would see my plates and start talking because they used to live here, etc. Beautiful country too. Expensive to live, but SM & GTLC furnishes room & board for a nominal fee.

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Permalink Reply by jackie morris on February 4, 2009 at 4:59pm

i found that faxing letters of recommendation to xanterra and places helps alot

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Herzig on February 10, 2009 at 5:40pm

Carol:

I've spent 5 summers at Crater Lake National Park with Xanterra running tourboats. I can only say
the things I've observed things that seem to get seasonal employees in trouble; a resume that exemplifies your willingness to avoid these would help, since most seasonal jobs are not exactly rocket science; these positive characteristics are:

willingness to work and do a good job.

ability to get along with fellow employees, supervisors and visitors, even if tired.

ability to be flexible.

maturity.

no drug use.


I hope this helps.

joe h.

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Permalink Reply by Carol B. on February 24, 2009 at 6:54pm

All great comments, thank you all. I am going to work harder on my resume and references and recommendations. My husband and I have been offered employment at Wagon Trail Resort in Ellison Bay Wisconsin. That is Northern Door County and a beautiful peninsula in the Great Lakes. I will be serving at the restaurant and he will be learning to bake at the Swedish bakery.

Looking forward to hiking, biking, swimming and perhaps a little kayaking. The two state parks, Peninsula and Newport are very nice.

Wouldn't you know Flagg Ranch e-mailed today! I wish I had heard from them before we made our commitment.

I was wondering how do you keep your options open when you apply to several places or do you usually accept the first, which is what we did?

Right now Brad is in New Mexico at an animal shelter, Desert Haven getting his first workamping experience. I am so looking forward to my first coming up in May! I am also looking forward to the snow going away. The winters are so long in Michigan. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Keith Larson on February 26, 2009 at 2:59pm

Congrats on the job! Door County is a wonderful place. There is this theory out there that whenever you decide on an offer, another one will come within a week.

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