The Unseasoned Weekly: Dec 3
Learn from local and outdoor-seasonal-owned small-biz this holiday season, let's talk boring jobs, apply for a customer success role at a major Montana utility.
The Check In
One of my favorite parts of working as an outdoor seasonal was the non-working holiday season, which gave me more time to spend with family and friends, and plenty of opportunities to adventure before the winter bank account anxiety kicked in (…gulp).
In our recent 9-5 years, my husband and I have made it a tradition to stay home for at least one holiday, recreating that sense of having more time to enjoy.
Where and how does this holiday season find you? Reply and let me know! - Emerald
- An endorsement triplet from the other side of outdoor seasonal work-
3 Recs for When
… you’re ready to support a rural, women-owned business this holiday season.
If you’ve made it through the wallet-crushing maze of Black Friday (which somehow started on Halloween this year?), Small Business Saturday, and Giving Tuesday but still have a few names left on your list, I’ve got ideas for ya.
Check out these three Idaho-based small businesses, all led by—you guessed it—current and former outdoor seasonals. Even if you’re not in the market for more gifts, give them a follow on social media to learn how they’ve blended outdoor seasonal work with building thriving businesses.
Cayla in the Current - Cayla Sanderson offers vibrant, travel-inspired artwork including original paintings, prints, and commissioned pieces such as custom shirts, greeting cards, and murals. Don’t miss her holiday ornaments!
Kinshop - Sarah Mallory specializes in crafting high-quality, handmade leather goods designed to enhance everyday life. From functional items like wallets and bags to decorative home accents, each product is made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned U.S. leather. I’m a big fan of the cribbage board…
Sturdy Pine Gear & Repair - Sara Campbell specializes in handcrafted, durable river gear designed and made in Salmon, Idaho (and created by off-season outdoor employees). Catering to adventurers, their products—ranging from bags to custom orders—are built with American-made materials, ensuring reliability for outdoor activities like rafting, biking, and hiking. You might just need a fanny pack in the fierce and fabulous colorway.
- Dispatches from the Unseasoned Community -
Heard on Social
Last week on social, we discussed how sometimes the most “boring” jobs offer the best opportunities to spend time outdoors with those you love.
@extraintermediate replied:
Bingo. My current career as a civil engineer is “boring AF” from the adventure standpoint. But my schedule is consistent. Every evening is mine. Every weekend is mine. Sure, I only get 24 days off each year including holidays, but I cam take them whenever I want. I have to be selective about which trips I say yes to, but I can truly make that choice without it being influenced by the vacation trends of the rest of America, training trips, finals schedules, or the peak work season.
Join us this week to learn from our community of over 3,000!
- Tips for your next job application -
How I’d Apply
Blackfoot Communications is hiring a Customer Care Consultant (Location: Missoula, MT)
Unique Value Proposition (UVP): For outdoor seasonal workers applying for this role, emphasize your ability to communicate in a confident, courteous, and professional manner. For example, if you’ve worked as a river guide, share an example of a time you supported a guest who was frustrated or confused. For those with trail crew experience, highlight how you interacted with the public during projects. If you're concerned about your computer skills, provide examples of how you’ve quickly and efficiently learned new technical tools or systems.
Sample Resume Bullet Point:
Prioritization Skills: Managed and led multiple trail projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and adhering to tight deadlines, resulting in timely completion of maintenance goals and consistent alignment with organizational standards.
Flags / Interview Questions to Ask:
"What are the most common challenges faced by Customer Care Consultants, and how does the team collaborate to address them?" - Customer care often involves assisting frustrated or dissatisfied customers. It's important to understand whether you'll have the support of your team during these challenging moments.
Note: This position offers a relatively low wage, reflecting its entry-level nature. Consider it a "foot in the door" role, providing an opportunity to explore the utility industry and potential career growth. Be sure to review the benefits package and don't hesitate to negotiate for additional paid time off or other perks.
Hiring Manager: The hiring manager isn’t listed by name - a LinkedIn search suggests it is Laura Maedche, Customer Operations Manager.
Continuing Ed: After working in the outdoors, you might feel nervous about the computer and phone skills required for this role. Remember, on-the-job training will be provided, and don’t forget that YouTube can be a great resource for building additional skills. For example, check out this quick tutorial on improving your typing speed.
Open Jobs Grab Bag
Get a Foot In: Sierra Club (Remote) - Editorial Fellow
Early Career: State of Washington (Olympia, WA) - Project Communications Coordinator
Go Pro: ClimateWorks Foundation (Remote) - Vice President, Programs
Emerald’s Free Resource Library
Resume templates, career transition therapist and coach recommendations, and more. What would you like to see in the library? My DMs and inbox are open!
