Chat Transcript - How to Keep Your Seasonal / Summer Job

Thanks for all who joined in last night and for everyone's patience in finding the chat. I hope with the new box dedicated to Chat on the main page, it helps a bit, but realize it still isn't as intuitive as the old version. There was a request for how to close the box and the answer is to just click again on the words "My CoolWorks (# members online). They are the keys for everything.

Like I wrote on the main page, the bottom line is to be responsible for yourself, but we did cover a lot of different ideas and I thank the long timers for sharing their wisdom. Also, as trivial as some of these may seem, they can keep you in your job when someone else loses their common sense and forgets why they're there.

~ Be on time.
~ Follow safety procedures.
~ Do your job.
~ Remember that you are at that great place to do a job, you are not a guest at the lodge, resort, restaurant, ranch, camp, etc. Act accordingly.
~ Drugs and alcohol don't mix well with your summer job. If you choose to drink, do so responsibly, and when you're off of the clock. Your co-workers are not your friends. Don't lose your job over too many drinks. Don't exactly be your brother's keeper, but do watch out for one another. If you see someone in trouble, get help, call a supervisor or security. Last year there was a great discussion about alcohol abuse in the seasonal world. You can read it here.
~ No stalking / harassing. In all seriousness, the seasonal world takes all kinds, and unfortunately, sometimes there are those who just don't understand boundaries. Be aware of your surroundings and report unusual behavior to HR or your supervisor. This is more of a take care of yourself vs. avoiding this behavior. It does happen and it came up in the conversation so I'm sharing it here.
~ Appearance matters. Keep your uniform clean and neat. Keep yourself clean and neat.
~ Coming back to "be on time," don't take extended breaks or smoke breaks. Be there when you need to clock in. Don't become the employee that the supervisors can't trust to be there when needed.
~ Treat employee housing and company property with respect. Remember that you're a tenant, not the owner.
~ Don't act you know it all on day one. Be prepared to learn and teach.
~ Do what your manager wants you to do. Follow directions.
~ Don't bail out at the end of the season just days and weeks before your contract end. You may find yourself in a position where you are not invited back. Complete your commitment.
~ Treat the guest well and remember that you are the lucky one that gets to stay there all summer. The guest is paying a lot of money to see only a brief snippet of what you are lucky to experience. Be cordial when answering their questions. Remember, that just because you've heard the same question every day for three months, this is the first time they're asking. Be nice.

I'm sure that there were other items discussed and I welcome you to add your advice and tips below. It was a great chat and I'm happy that so many people joined in. May your summer job be all that you want it to be and more in 2009, and hopefully, with some of these tips in mind, you'll keep it for as long as the season runs.