The Unseasoned Weekly: Dec 17
Tips and tricks for a sober or low-alc holiday season, my five-step job application process, apply for a ski resort job to build your resume.
The Check In
This upcoming solstice, I’m quietly celebrating two years sober. While I was never a chaotic drinker, there was definitely a phase in my twenties - during the height of my outdoor seasonal career - when I couldn’t imagine an adult life without booze.
A drink was my break after a long day of guiding, a way to connect with my friends, and sometimes a way to prove my adulthood and toughness. Then the hangovers began. After even one glass of wine or a few beers, I’d sleep poorly, wake up irritable, and notice significantly more anxiety throughout my day. As I started moving away from outdoor seasonal work, my weekends became all the more precious, and I knew something had to give.
Our relationship with alcohol is as unique as we are and I’m careful to never prescribe my experience to anyone else. Some people are just fine to drink in moderation, others need the support of a professional to quit. But if you are sober curious, or even just considering a dry January, I encourage you to give it a go! For me, the cravings disappeared around four or five weeks and I can truly say I no longer miss alcohol of any kind.
Just remember, whenever you take something away (from alcohol to a bad thought pattern to an outdoor seasonal friend group) it helps to replace it, ideally with something healthy for you and others. When I stopped drinking alcohol, I started to really lean into my early mornings. I love my first cup of coffee without a headache, or getting out for a run with my dog before the rest of the partygoers have risen.
Wishing you a solstice of reflection, connection, and good intentions! The Unseasoned Weekly is taking the next week off for a holiday reset. We will be back on December 31, to welcome you into 2025! - Emerald
- An endorsement triplet from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-
3 Recs For When
…you want to treat your sober self or sober loved ones this holiday season. Whether it's for someone pregnant, sober, a designated driver, or the sober curious, providing a non-alcoholic beverage can make your celebrations even more inclusive. Here are my top recommendations for great alcohol-free drinks this holiday season.
On Social Media: Do I regularly make Elaine’s amazing, craft mocktails? Well no. Do I love scrolling her feed while I drink (yet another) lemon La Croix. 100%.
At The Dive Bar: So many bars are offering mocktails and tasty NA beers of all kinds. But for that hometown dive that gives you the look when you ask for NA options: a) If you can scrounge up a Bud Zero, ask for a glass and a lime to elevate your drink, or b) A tonic with a lemon and lime is a nice sipper. Again, don’t be afraid to ask for a grown-up glass!
To Make at Home: This pear mocktail is easily adapted for the drinkers or nondrinkers at your gathering.
- Questions for Your Next Journal or Hike -
On Reflection
- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -
Heard on Social
Last week on social, I answered a follower question, “Should I adjust my resume and cover letter for each job I apply for?” by sharing my own job application process:
@watershedheather replied:
Great advice! There is a seminal paper in Sociology from 1973 called the The Strength of Weak Ties by Granovetter which has been applied to getting jobs/interviews, and my takeaway is that you can sometimes get connected to new possibilities through people you know but that you don't know well. :)
Join us this week to learn from our community of over 3,000!
- Tips for your next application -
How I’d Apply
Want to dip your toe into an office-based role, without walking away from your summer seasonal work just yet? Sugarbowl Resort is hiring a Reservation Specialist (Norden, CA).
Unique Value Proposition (UVP): To apply for this role as an outdoor seasonal, focus on your communication skills and knowledge of outdoor environments. How do you help summer guests or coworkers understand risk and safety? What strategies do you use for managing multiple tasks at once?
Sample Resume Bullet Point (Outdoor Guide):
Customer Service: Managed high-pressure situations and multitasked effectively, ensuring clear communication and prompt resolution of guest needs, resulting in a 98% positive Trip Advisor review rate.
Flags / Interview Questions to Ask:
This is not a great job! Compensation is low and may not match cost of living. Be sure to secure housing before accepting.
This job is, however, an opportunity to develop office skills like phone/email best practices, using a customer management system (CMS), and professional communication. Consider roles like this as a stepping stone for future, non-outdoor positions with better compensation, if that’s the direction you’re heading.
Hiring Manager: The hiring manager is not listed. You might consider sending a message to the HR email provided, asking them to forward your inquiry to the right person. Need a script? Find one in the Job Application Checklist here.
Continuing Ed: This job is the continuing ed! I challenge you to try to think strategically and approach your “winter survival” jobs as a chance to build your resume… while enjoying the free ski pass and cafeteria discount. What metrics can you capture? Which new skill can you become an “expert” in?
Open Jobs Grab Bag
Get a Foot In: Avista (Spokane, WA - Hybrid) - Associate Project Manager
Early Career: City of Helena (Helena, MT) - Sustainability Coordinator
Go Pro: Patagonia (Ventura, CA) - Category Director, Climb, Trail Run, and Mountain Essentials
Emerald’s Free Resource Library
Resume templates, career transition therapist and coach recommendations, and more. What would you like to see in the library? Reply and let me know!
I'm going to do Dry January this year! I find in the dark nights (ahem, afternoons) of the PNW winter, if I have a drink after work it makes it so I don't want to go do any activities.
Also, if you order a NA drink at a bar (dives especially), tip as if you got an alcoholic one – that will help get on good terms with the bartender, and they will often give you free soda/tonic/juice (especially if you are the DD). Bartenders appreciate good patrons and not having to worry about overserving you!