After working 2 summer seasons, 1 for Thomas Cook and 1 for an independant hotel, I receive a lot of messages from ex-guests wanting to know how to become “a rep”. So I thought I’d put together a blog post explaining everything you need to know to jet away on a summer season you wont forget!

Now the word “Rep” can often be confused for 2 different types of job roles. In the world of Summer seasons, there are 2 main job roles. “A rep” and “A worker”.

The role of “a worker” refers to the type of job that provides a work holiday balance. Workers tend to fly out to a destination with the mindset of finding a job once they arrive, seasonal workers will be able to find evening jobs such as bartending, promoting, flying, as well as day time jobs such as ticket selling and restaurant work. These kind of jobs are readily available and vacancies are easily found from just popping into places and asking around!

How do I become a worker?

There are 2 ways in which you can go about becoming a worker. The cheapest way to do this is to join the facebook page of the specific destination you’d like to visit for example “Kavos Workers 2020”. Once accepted into the group you’ll be able to speak to people going to the same destination to work as you.

Once you’ve joined the facebook page, try and get a feel for what dates other people are heading out and book your flight for a similar time, its best to book a one way flight with 1 or 2 hold luggage suitcases so if you decide to stay longer or shorter that the time you intended, you’re not tied into return flights! Once you’ve booked your flight, book a hotel room in your chosen destination for 2 or 3 nights so you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive and be sure to book a transfer from the airport too!

Once you’ve arrived in the resort, you must find a place to stay for the season, lots of places offer accommodation with the job so it’s really just best to get out and talk to people, ask which bars/restaurants are hiring, and ask around for which workers accommodation is best and cheapest, as these often aren’t advertised online, doing thing this way will save you A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!!!!

An alternative route of becoming a seasonal worker abroad is by going through an online company such as “Summer Takeover” and “Workers Family”. These type of companies charge you a 1 off payment of around £500-600 depending on your choice of destination and provide you with flights and 4 weeks of accommodation and “a guaranteed job”. On the face this seems ideal if it’s your first time working abroad or if you’re travelling alone as they offer guidance and support within the resorts itself. However, these companies charge a lot more than they should, if you’re looking to fly out somewhere on the cheap, this might not be the best option for you. It should also be noted that in most summer destinations, it is harder to not find a job, than it is to find a job!!!

Pro’s and con’s of being a worker

The main benefits of being a worker is the work and life balance that comes with the nature of the jobs available. Most jobs will allow you to have a drink whilst you’re at work and will be pretty flexible with regards to you wanting to enjoy yourself! As well as this, if you work evenings, you will have all day off to spend it how you like in the sun!

The main drawback to being a worker in the pay. Jobs can range anywhere from €20-€50 per night depending on where you work, what you do and how good at your job you are so you may need to go out with some savings just incase!!!!

The role of a holiday rep

Although sometimes confused as a worker, the role of a rep is very different to that of a worker. The role of a rep is physically demanding and hands on, not for those looking for a lounge about holiday! The main role of a rep involves working around 5 or 6 days a week within a hotel, with an emphasis on selling excursions in to guests within the hotel, and attending to the customer service needs of the paying hotel customers to ensure they have a good stay. As well as this you must be geared up with all the local knowledge of the surrounding area in order to provide advice and recommendations to enhance your guests holiday!

In order to become a holiday rep you must first apply online, in most cases with a CV, to specific package holiday providers. These kind of companies can include brands such as; Tui, Jet2Holidays, and Partyhard travel. Applications for holiday rep roles open around September – November time and an interview will most likely to be required. It isn’t usually necessary for you to have experience in travel and tourism as they will provide you with the training and everything you need to know!

If you’d like to know some examples of interview questions you could be asked and recruitment processes these can be found online at http://www.glassdoor.co.uk by searching for the company you have applied with!

Pros and cons to being a rep

There are many pro’s of working as a seasonal holiday rep, the first of which is that you wont have to pay for your flights or accommodation, this will all be provided for you by the tour operator that you’re working for. In addition to this, you may sometimes receive discounts in local bars and restaurants if you get on well with the other resort workers! You will most likely get to try out some of the excursions that your selling as well as getting 1 or 2 days off per week to spend some time in the sun, providing you with an excellent work life balance!

The main drawback to being a rep is that often the hours can be long and tiring depending on the jobs needed to be done that day and how many guests you have arriving. As well as this the base pay can sometime be low however you can add to this through earning commission on sales!

Rep or Worker?

Whether you decide to work as a Holiday rep or a seasonal worker, it is almost guaranteed that you will have one of the most unforgettable summers and meet some amazing friends! I wish you the best of luck!

I hope you enjoyed my post and should you have any questions, drop me a message on instagram @expeditionfarrier !!!