The Workamper Show Podcast

Today we have a great show planned. I will be talking with Jody Anderson-Duquette about finding the ideal Workamping job.

She is the executive director of Workamper News and one of the owners of the business. She literally grew up in the Workamping industry and has a lot of experience connecting people to short-term jobs.

She has identified 12 steps people can take to find the right job for them. It all starts with doing your homework to learn what type of jobs and employers are available. Contrary to popular belief, not all Workamping jobs involve work at campgrounds and RV parks.

By becoming aware of the different types of jobs available, people can narrow their selections to specific industries, geographic areas, paid or volunteer positions, and other types of compensation.

The next step involves prioritizing things you absolutely need from a job. Jody is right in saying that each Workamper’s situation is different based on their financial needs and physical capabilities. It is also important that couples be on the same page when it comes to finding Workamping jobs.

One of the best tools to use is the Workamper website that allows people to narrow job opportunities by state and then use keywords to find specific jobs in that state. Workamper News places symbols on each ad so people can quickly scan opportunities and zero in on only those that are the closest match to their desired compensation.

Once a Workamper selects jobs of interest, then it is time to reach out to specific employers and, more importantly, to follow up with them. But to save everyone some time, it’s important to apply only for jobs you feel would be a good fit and Jody offers ideas on how to do that most effectively.

People do have the option of casting a larger net by creating their resumes on the Workamper website. Some employers never advertise job openings. Rather they search the Awesome Applicants Resume database for people they think might be a good fit and actually reach out to potential Workampers.

Workampers News offers an outstanding resume-building tool to help people create effective resumes that ensures the right information can be found in the right places to help employers find workers. Jody offers ideas on key elements to include in your resume.

She also talks about another tool available to Workampers that allows them to submit their own situation wanted ads to let employers know they are available for certain types of work in specific areas.

There are several ways Workampers can find jobs and they all work well. It just depends on their personal preferences. Some people identify places they would like to visit first, and then start looking for jobs in those areas. For them, they are assured of finding work in an area they’ve dreamed of visiting.

Finding a job this way ensures that Workampers can fully immerse themselves into new cultures, new climates, historical areas or states they’ve often wondered what it would be like to live there. For them, location is the key factor in looking for a job.

However, other people like working at specific jobs and will travel wherever they can to get a job. For example, you won’t find any lighthouses in Arizona, but people who really want to work at one will be willing to travel to one of the coasts for the right opportunity.

Or perhaps someone is really skilled at planning events and is open to traveling anywhere to get a job as an activities director. For them, the type of work is of paramount consideration.

It may take more advance planning to land the ideal job, but at least Workamper News can help open doors and connect people to those positions.

Some people finish one job and then start looking for another. Other people like the certainty of having a steady stream of work. Whatever their preference, one thing is for certain – people are better off finding jobs as members of Workamper News.

Workamper News has a variety of tools to help you make the most of every opportunity. That includes more job listings than any other site, employer reviews, an outstanding resume builder, a daily jobs hotline and an archive of magazines spanning decades, with each issue full of job listings, interesting stories and tips to help make the RV and Workamping lifestyle more enjoyable.

If you’re not already a Diamond or Platinum member, you can get started today with a free trial by visiting www.workamper.com/trial.

Christian Resort Ministries matches volunteer chaplains to more than 40 RV resorts in Arizona, Texas and Florida every winter. Not only are the chaplains leading weekly worship services, they are also leading Bible studies or hosting family activities, like movie nights, at the park. Sometimes they organize potluck gatherings while other times they may be visiting people in hospitals or running errands for those who need some help. Occasionally, chaplains will officiate at weddings and even memorial services. What makes Christian Resort Ministries so unique is that when they match a chaplain to an RV park, it is expected that the same chaplain will return to the same resort every year for three to five years. That allows chaplains to really get to know people in the campground and develop relationships with them.

Aramark contracts with a number state and national parks to provide hospitality services at Olympic National Park in Washington, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, South Lake Tahoe in California, and Lake Powell National Recreation Area at the Arizona/Utah border. Some resorts hire people to work at the front desk, provide concierge services or do housekeeping jobs. Other sites hire workers to engage guests in various activities or to lead tours. Some resorts need Workampers in the food and beverage operations, while others serve as campground hosts and in retail centers, like gift shops and grocery stores. There are a few jobs available for bus drivers and experienced boat captains, and all the locations need some type of maintenance help.

Austin Faught is the founder and president of RV Park Management, a company located near San Antonio. His firm owns two RV parks in Texas and one in Florida. However, his company also manages RV parks for people who buy campgrounds, but don’t want to manage the day-do-day operations of the business. Austin likes to hire Workampers because they understand what customers expect and they’re really tuned in to what it takes to deliver first-class service.

Greg and Bonnie Dixon are from Vancouver, British Columbia. They have been RVing since October 2017. In fact, they have put on 18,000 miles traveling between what they call the alligator line and the snow line. At their last Workamping gig, they met a woman who introduced the Dixons to the multi-level marketing company LifeWave, a firm selling products that employ phototherapy and acupressure to help people heal and maintain their health. Enjoying success in that business, the Dixons launched the Healthy Wealthy Camper website.

Janice Brea is a recruiter with eScribers and Dena Farbman is a Workamper who has been supporting her travel lifestyle by doing legal transcriptions for quite some time. There is an unlimited amount of work available, so people can work as little as three hours a day, eight hours a day or as long as they’d like because the transcribers are independent contractors. That means, they are self-employed in their own businesses, which entitles them to enjoy a variety of tax deductions, too.

Ed Bridgman is the owner and developer of Homestead RV Community, which is about 20 miles south of Mobile, Ala., and less than two miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Using a high-speed fiber optic network, the RV park offers the fastest internet service available and monitors water and electricity consumption at every site from a remote location. If people want to buy firewood or anything from the store, it is all done online and Workampers deliver it to the customer’s campsite a few minutes later. All communications are preformed virtually, including making reservations, payments, checking in and checking out. However, Workampers still provide personal attention by escorting guests to their sites, helping them connect to services and even hosting campwide events like movie nights, tournaments and special meals.

Jeff is looking for a Workamping solo or couple who is experienced in managing a campground or RV park. They may also be tasked with managing the on-site apartments and retail space, too. Compensation is set up differently than most other Workamping jobs in that the manager will receive a percentage of the gross income of the RV park. Jeff hopes that will be a big incentive to a prospective manager to help fill the park.

Workampers serve as park attendants, which mean they greet visitors to the park, help them check in to their campsites, clean up the bathrooms, and help with clerical duties at the office. The volunteers are expected to donate 24 hours of time per couple in exchange for a full-hookup RV site very close to the Washington/Idaho border. The project has enough volunteers for the 2021 season, but Andrew is looking for Workampers in 2022, at which time he will be transitioning two more campgrounds over to volunteer attendants. He estimates he will need nine sets of volunteers next year.

Cherry Republic operates six retail stores throughout Michigan, but hires 10 Workampers for its headquarters campus which is also home to the packing and distribution center. Workampers are utilized in the retail store, but also to serve samples or full glasses of wine to guests. In the distribution center, they assemble and label products before packing them for shipping. The paid jobs start at $10 per hour plus a free RV site.