Seasonal, hospitality & temp jobs in Aberdeen
With a low rate of unemployment and a glorious setting, Aberdeen is a wonderful place to look for seasonal work. Whether you’re looking for temporary bar work or even a job in a ski resort, here’s our guide to job-hunting in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Types of seasonal work in Aberdeen
Unemployment in Aberdeen is around 1.5% (January 2007) – way lower than the UK average of 2.6%. Aberdeen City Council reports that its residents earn more than people in the rest of the UK, too – with wages averaging at 14% higher than Scotland (and 7% higher than in England). Great pay + low unemployment = excellent work opportunities – especially in seasonal industries like tourism and hospitality.
Aberdeen University has an acclaimed Medical institute and a student population of around 14,000 (7% of the city’s population). It may be further North than you’ve ever ventured, but Aberdeen is a thriving business centre, with excellent air, rail and sea links that keep it from isolation. It’s affectionately called the ‘Oil Capital of Europe’ since offshore oil resources transformed the city’s economy. But other forms of business are big here, too.
Manufacturing is one – with food and drink generating £7.3billion every year. Scottish whisky, salt herrings and Aberdeen Angus are just some of the delicacies being shipped out daily. Then there’s the tourist industry. Although it sees fewer visitors than Edinburgh, Aberdeen’s council is working to boost revenue from this industry. The Grampian Highlands, near the city, is one of Scotland’s leading ski areas – generating a healthy ski equipment trade as well as additional hospitality jobs. Tourism currently brings the region around £500million each year, employing 26,000 people.
Seasonal and Temporary Jobs
Retail and hospitality are key areas for your temporary job search. Seasonal jobs including housekeeping, chef and receptionist jobs, are often advertised as ‘live-in’ which can be a bonus for a traveller, but be aware that being on your employers’ premises can be more trouble than a free bed is worth!
Where to find temporary jobs
- Register with the agencies: key agencies in Aberdeen include Kelly Services, Cirrus and Search. Register in person, taking printed copies of your CV (resume) – be prepared to take a typing test!
- Off the cuff: Shops, bars and hotels often need extra staff – people to help with catering and childcare in summer, retail assistants, waiters and bar staff in the winter. Many will accept in-person job applications – and you could make a better impact than by sending in your CV in the traditional manner.
- Pick up the jobs pages: the Evening Express carries jobs on a Wednesday and the Scotsman runs an online resource at Jobs Today.
Finding seasonal accommodation in Aberdeen
Renting in Aberdeen isn’t cheap. Your best option is to try the University, which lets out rooms at Hillhead and King’s Hall in the summer months. Visit their website for information. Aberdeen Summer Village provides rooms and flats during the summer too.
All jobs in the United Kingdom require you to have the proper permissions to work here. If you are resident (or studying) in the UK, or you have an EU passport, you do not have to seek permission to work in the UK. If this is not the case we have created a work permits and visas section. For the UK we teamed up with the UK Visa Bureau – they help arrange working holiday visas and, if you have British ancestry, they will help you get a UK ancestry visa.
A point worth noting - If your employer puts you straight onto an emergency tax code, then you may be entitled to a tax refund when you finish work.