by Workamper News
1. To fully understand the amazing variety of opportunities available in campgrounds, theme parks, tourist attractions and a thousand other venues, we strongly recommend that you read every opportunity in Workamper® News magazine*, the Workamper® Hotline* web page/email and various other job pages at Workamper.com We also recommend that you read the many articles in the Article Index* online.
2. Once you’ve done your homework, make a list of your preferences with regard to location, duties, compensation, hours, start/end dates, etc.
3. Then start looking for opportunities that match your preferences – via the magazine*, Hotline*, by having your Awesome Applicants® Resume** in the database, and by running Situations Wanted ads**.
4. Narrow your choices to the opportunities that best fit your needs, and follow the instructions exactly as they are given in the ad.
5. We also strongly recommend that you create a resume in our Awesome Applicants® Resume** database, where it can be viewed by employers. You can also email your Awesome Applicants® Resume to any employer in the world or print it out to mail/fax.*
6. Get Workamper feedback about specific employers via the Praise Your Employer and Workamper Experiences tools at Workamper.com**.
If possible, try to visit the location and meet the owners managers, and if you get a chance, talk to other employees and customers. A personal visit also allows you to check out the clientele and the climate. If it’s a campground, you can also check their rating in the campground directories and review websites.
7. During the interview process, be sure to ask as many questions as possible to fully understand what will be expected of you. Additional information, references, etc., may be requested at this time by the Employer and should be provided in a prompt and business-like manner.
8. Before you accept a job, be certain you thoroughly understand all aspects of the job, including: specific duties, hours, days off, wages, benefits, insurance, training, supervision, starting & ending dates, etc. We strongly recommend that you ask the employer for this information in writing. We further advise that you have this “letter of understanding” or “work agreement” in hand before giving notice or traveling a great distance to the new job site. (Good employers will gladly do this, because they want to avoid misunderstandings too.) See “Sample Work Agreement” on the Job Resources page at Workamper.com
9. When considering jobs that involve exchanges of hours worked for site, hookups, etc., we recommend that you use the following formula to determine if the exchange meets your individual needs.
The value of the site (monthly or seasonal rate) + hookups + perks + any wages/salary divided by the number of hours worked per month = equivalent hourly wage
(This formula should not be applied to volunteer positions at non-profit agencies and organizations.) The equivalent hourly wage at for-profit businesses should not be lower than the applicable minimum wage (Federal = $7.25, higher in some states). The competitive range for most jobs is $7 to $12 per hour. Any job that requires special skills or experience, or involves even minimal supervisory or managerial responsibility, should pay toward the higher end of this range or above.
Workampers should never “pay” more for their site than a long-term customer would be charged. In most cases, we currently recommend a maximum of 15 hours per week for a full hookup (water, electric, sewer) site at a for-profit organization. That’s a total of 15 hours per week, regardless of whether it is a couple splitting the hours, or a single person working all 15 hours.
Obviously there are businesses that ask for more than 15 hours per week. They feel they can justify their offer, perhaps with additional perks, light duties, unique work environment, etc. It is up to each Workamper® to determine if an offer meets their personal criteria for a fair exchange, before accepting the job. [The value of these exchanges is usually exempt from federal income tax. For details see the “FAQ” page under the Workamping menu option at Workamper.com]
10. Remember, Workamping is about enjoying the RV lifestyle to its fullest. We recommend that you base your final decision on your answers to the following questions: Do I like the location? Do I like the duties? Am I satisfied with the compensation being offered? Do I like the employer? Am I physically and psychologically suited for this job?
11. Do not accept a position unless your are committed to fulfilling all aspects of the agreement. When an agreement is reached, be sure to show up on the appointed day. The employer is counting on you
12. Key factors in landing and keeping any job: preparation, attention to detail, flexibility, positive attitude, maturity, integrity and the ability to get along with customers and co-workers.
Happy Workamping!
*Requires Gold Workamper Membership
**Requires Diamond or Platinum Workamper Membership
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