)
Summer seasonal work in the UK offers great opportunities for those seeking short-term employment, especially for students looking to gain experience. They're also excellent opportunities for UK students and graduates to earn extra cash during the break. From flexible roles that fit around your schedule to opportunities that provide valuable work experience, summer jobs are worth keeping an eye out for to boost your skills and bank balance.
Top UK summer jobs:
Festival staff (ticketing, bar work, or event setup)
Hospitality roles such as barista or catering assistant
Retail assistant in busy summer sales
Beach lifeguard
Fruit picker on local farms
Hotel receptionist or concierge
Tour guide for local attractions
Housekeeper for vacation rentals or resorts
Outdoor adventure guide (kayaking, hiking, or biking tours)
Ice cream shop server
Cruise ship staff (entertainment, food service, or guest services)
Amusement park attendant or ride operator
Event planner assistant for summer weddings or festivals.
Enhance your job application with CVMaker, the ultimate tool for creating a professional CV tailored to your needs.
What are the advantages of seasonal jobs?
Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or international looking for part-time seasonal work, getting a work visa is usually straightforward. Seasonal jobs can provide numerous benefits, whether you’re seeking paid experience or volunteer opportunities.
Flexible employment options allow you to choose short-term assignments that align with your availability. This can be particularly advantageous for students, retirees, or individuals seeking additional income during busy holidays.
If you have no experience, season jobs are an excellent way to gain hands-on experience in various industries. Whether you're interested in hospitality, retail, agriculture, or tourism, season jobs offer the opportunity to learn new skills.
It can boost your employment prospects by introducing you to diverse people, including co-workers, customers, and supervisors. Building these connections can be valuable for your future career or for finding long-term employment opportunities.
It allows you to explore different jobs and industries without a long-term commitment. It's an excellent way to discover what you enjoy and where your talents lie. Seasonal jobs can become more permanent side-hustle jobs or even full-time positions.
Pro Tip
Start your summer job search early as many employers are already looking for seasonal workers for summer 2025. Getting ahead of the game gives you time to tailor your CV and cover letter, and boosts your chances of landing roles that may not even be advertised yet.
If you're unsure how to begin, check out our guide on writing a good CV.
What are the best types of seasonal jobs?
Businesses often require additional support during busy times, especially during the summer holidays. This makes it an excellent opportunity to earn extra money or gain valuable work experience. Summer jobs in the UK are also a fantastic way to boost your English language skills while working. With plenty of options available, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular types of summer holiday roles.
1. Retail
The retail sector experiences a significant surge in demand during the holiday season, making it an ideal time to seek employment. Positions such as sales associates, cashiers, and customer service representatives become plentiful as stores prepare for increased customer traffic. For example, major retailers like John Lewis and Tesco often hire seasonal staff to assist with the busy shopping period. Refer to our retail CV writing guides to ensure your application stands out.
Top 10 retail skills to list on a CV
2. Hospitality and tourism
The hospitality and tourism industry often sees a surge in demand for staff during peak summer holidays. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and travel companies frequently hire temporary workers to manage the increased workload. Other busy periods include Christmas and significant events.
For example, hotel chains like Premier Inn, Hilton, and Travelodge often seek additional receptionists, housekeeping staff, and event coordinators. Restaurants and catering services, such as Wetherspoon and Compass Group, commonly hire waitstaff, bartenders, and kitchen assistants to manage the holiday rush. Companies like TUI and local tour operators in the tourism sector often need seasonal tour guides, customer service representatives, and airport support staff. These roles provide an exciting, fast-paced work environment and a chance to gain valuable experience in a dynamic industry.
Top 10 hospitality and tourism skills to list on a CV
For more tips, refer to our hospitality CV writing guide.
3. Agriculture
If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider agricultural jobs in the UK.
Seasonal demand: most opportunities are available during the summer and autumn months.
Fruit picking: popular roles include apple, strawberry, and berry picking, often in scenic rural areas.
Vegetable harvesting: farms also hire for tasks like harvesting, sorting produce, planting crops, and working in greenhouses.
Livestock farming: roles such as sheep shearing and animal care are also in demand.
These jobs offer physical activity, a connection to nature, insight into sustainable farming, and the chance to support the UK’s agricultural sector.
4. Events
The summer season in the UK is packed with festivals, making it a prime time for seasonal work in event management and support roles. From music festivals like Glastonbury and Reading to food and cultural events across the country, there’s a high demand for event planners, coordinators, and support staff.
Popular roles include helping organise large-scale festivals, managing logistics for outdoor events, or providing on-site support such as guest management, stage setup, catering, or technical assistance. These temporary roles offer an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a vibrant, fast-paced environment.
Top skills for an events coordinator or assistant
For more tips, check out our event manager CV writing guide.
Pro Tip
Customise your CV for each job to stand out. Highlight relevant skills, like customer service for hospitality roles, and use keywords from the job description. This shows you’ve done your research and grabs the recruiter’s attention.
How to find seasonal work in the UK
If you're looking for part-time seasonal work in the UK, there are plenty of opportunities across various industries. Whether you're a student, someone seeking extra income, or simply exploring new experiences, the following resources can help you get started:
1. Season Workers: This is a great platform for finding seasonal jobs in industries like tourism, hospitality, outdoor adventure, and more. It is perfect for those seeking work in ski resorts, summer camps, or holiday parks.
2. Employment 4 Students: Designed with students in mind, E4S lists flexible, seasonal roles in retail, customer service, hospitality, and events, ideal for balancing work with studies.
3. DWP Find a Job: An official government resource to search for seasonal roles across the UK, from temporary retail positions to agricultural harvesting jobs.
4. Young Capital: This site focuses on summer jobs and internships. It offers roles in sectors like logistics, sales, and event staffing, helping you build work experience.
5. Local job fairs: Many towns and cities host seasonal job fairs, especially before peak hiring periods like Christmas or summer. Check local council websites or community boards for upcoming events. For more tips, check out our guide on the best job fairs in the UK.
6. Retail and hospitality chains: Major retailers and hospitality brands, such as Tesco, John Lewis, Starbucks, and Premier Inn, often hire temporary staff during busy periods. Visit their careers pages for openings.
7. Specialty recruitment agencies: Agencies like Blue Arrow and Adecco specialise in connecting job seekers with temporary and seasonal roles across various industries.
By exploring these resources, you’ll find various flexible options for your skills, availability, and interests. There's something for everyone, from part-time retail jobs during the holidays to outdoor adventure roles in the summer!
Tips on how to create a CV for seasonal employment
When creating a CV for seasonal jobs, it’s essential to tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. Keep these key strategies in mind, as they will help you to improve your CV for seasonal work:
1. Emphasise relevant skills
Showcasing relevant skills on your CV is essential to demonstrating why you’re the right fit for the role. Highlighting skills directly related to the position grabs the employer’s attention and quickly establishes your suitability for the job.
Consider mentioning these skills early in your personal profile to make a strong first impression.
Tailor your skills to match the job description.
Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate these skills.
Use action verbs to describe your abilities (led, managed, developed).
Prioritise your most relevant skills at the top of your CV.
Include measurable results to show impact like increased sales by 20%.
2. Showcase transferable skills
Highlight transferable skills from your past jobs that can be valuable in a seasonal position, showcasing your adaptability.
If you have experience in hospitality, highlight skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving for roles in event staffing, food service, or retail.
Time management and organisation skills from office or administrative work are valuable for logistics or holiday planning roles.
Customer service experience is a strong asset for sales, tourism, or front-facing seasonal jobs.
Check out the top skills employers are looking for to better tailor your application.
3. Highlight volunteer experience
If applicable, mention any volunteer work that showcases relevant abilities or commitment, as this can strengthen your application.
For example, if you volunteered at a local charity during a busy season, describe your role and the skills you developed, such as organisation and time management, which are essential for seasonal jobs.
4. Include relevant hobbies and interests
If applicable, highlight volunteer work that demonstrates key skills or dedication to a cause, as this can enhance your application. For example:
Volunteering at an animal shelter:
Showcases compassion
Demonstrates teamwork
Highlights ability to handle responsibility
Organising a community event:
Highlights leadership skills
Demonstrates strong communication
Showcases problem-solving abilities
Check out our guide on including hobbies and interests in your CV.
5. Write a tailored cover letter
Pair your CV with a good cover letter that showcases your interest in the job and explains why you're the ideal candidate.
Applying for a role at a summer festival? Tailor your application to stand out.
Highlight your passion for the arts and culture by mentioning any relevant experiences.
Example: Volunteering at community art events or performing in local theater groups.
Showcase transferable skills, like:
Event coordination (such as planning fundraisers or managing schedules).
Customer service (such as working in hospitality or retail).
A tailored cover letter shows your enthusiasm and provides valuable context to your CV.
Considering seasonal work abroad? Take a look at these language-specific CV examples to get started:
Key takeaways
Seasonal work offers an excellent opportunity to build valuable experience while earning extra income. To boost your chances of landing the job, make your application stand out by tailoring it to the role. A good cover letter shows employers that you’ve taken the time to understand the job and are serious about the opportunity.
Next steps?
Kickstart your job search with our CV templates or customise one of our CV examples to suit your needs. Pair your CV with one of our cover letter templates for a complete application. For personalised assistance, explore our CV Writing Services and get expert guidance on your career documents.
FAQs
How much do seasonal workers get paid in the UK?
Seasonal workers in the UK are typically paid at least the National Minimum Wage, which depends on age. Starting in 2025, this will range from £7.55 to £12.21 for apprentices and those aged 21 and over.
Is the UK seasonal visa still available?
Yes, the UK Seasonal Worker visa is available for those coming to work in horticulture or poultry production for up to 6 months.
What is a Seasonal Work Visa in the UK?
The Seasonal Work Visa in the UK allows foreign nationals to come to the country for a limited time to work in specific sectors, primarily agriculture and hospitality, during peak seasons. This visa typically permits individuals to work for a designated employer for a maximum duration, often up to 6 months.
What are the top seasonal jobs available in the UK during winter?
Christmas retail staff (wrapping gifts, stocking shelves, or assisting customers)
Delivery drivers and couriers during the festive rush
Christmas market stall assistants
Santa’s grotto helpers or event staff
Warehouse workers for holiday order processing.
