It’s no secret that freelance work can be unpredictable, and especially if there are certain times of the year when your business tends to grind to a halt – like during the sleepy summer months.
Thankfully, seasonal work can be a great option, affording you the opportunity to earn additional income and gain experience during this dreaded ‘summer slowdown.’
What is seasonal work?
Before we get into it, what even is seasonal work? I’m glad you asked. Seasonal employees are basically short-term workers who come in and fulfil additional staffing needs during an organisation’s busiest months.
The main selling point is that the work is on a temporary basis, meaning there’s no long-term commitment and you can try new jobs to see if you enjoy them without having to dive in headfirst.
In terms of exactly when you can take up a seasonal role, this varies by both industry and individual operation.
What should I consider before taking on seasonal work as a freelancer?
The first thing to consider is how long the contract is, as having a seasonal job could eventually get in the way of your freelance obligations, which you may want to prioritise.
You should also take into account the type of work it is. This is because seasonal employment is a chance to upskill in something different and gain valuable experience which can be referenced on your CV in the future.
When it comes to the work itself, there’s likely to be a general lack of freedom or flexibility relative to freelance work (where you get to set your own schedule, for example). There also tends to be less pay than with a full-time job – close to minimum wage in some industries – and also fewer benefits, so you’ll want to consider whether or not it’s worth it to you.
Types of seasonal jobs for freelancers
- Events/festivals – on an ad hoc basis – enables you to fill gaps in your income
- Bartender/hospitality – may require more of a time commitment than events, but still not full-time
- Retail – flexible hours, e.g. weekends only or 2/3 days per week
- Barista – flexible working hours
- Hotel staff – on an ad hoc basis or a few days per week, depending on contract
- Dog walker – nice change from freelancing (not client-facing) and flexible hours
Should I look for employed or self-employed seasonal jobs?
The truth is it doesn’t really matter either way, so long as you’re comfortable doing your Self Assessment tax return (which you likely already are as a freelancer ).
That said, if you opt to take up a self-employed seasonal role, be sure to keep separate records and add a separate section to your Self Assessment. Also make sure you understand how this affects the way you pay tax.
As well as taking on seasonal work, you could also expand the freelance work you do to open up a wider client base. In today’s increasingly complex world, it’s good to have multiple strings to your bow.
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