Job Search
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So where exactly do you start to find work?

Well, once you’ve made your application to Chilli Adventures, and have been interviewed we’ll invite you along to a Work Travel USA Acceptance Session. At this group session we’ll discuss the program in more detail, including what your program fees cover and how the application and visa processes works. We’ll also talk about working in the USA, regions you may want to head to, how to start applying for positions yourself, as well as employment opportunities available through Chilli.

1. Getting Started!
No matter how you plan on finding work, your first step should be to put together a good looking Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter, thats APPROPRIATE for an employer in the US. For many, the actual job hunt process will only begin in September / October, or even later, but your CV and Cover letter are things that can be done as soon as you’ve been accepted onto the program with Chilli. Here’s how to get it right!
John Smith 123 Strand Street Cape Town 8000 South Africa Tel: +2782 123 4567 E-mail: johnsmith@hotmail.com Education: 2007 – Present University of Cape Town BA in History Anticipated graduation date: Dec 2010 Work Experience: Summer 2008 - Bartender at Shooters, Cape Town Served drinks Performed stock-take Handled payments Summer 2007 - Ticket sales Ster Kinekor, Cape Town Selling movie tickets Skills/Interests Fluent in English and Spanish Shooters Bartender of the month Dec 2008 Captain of UCT hockey team 2008 Valid certificate in First Aid References: Available on request	Your Curriculum Vitae The first thing to note is that the CV you use to search for employment at a resort over your summer vacation is NOT the same as a CV you would use to job hunt after graduation! For your current purposes you need to compile something short, sweet and to the point. Generally your CV should be 1 page only (absolute max. 2 pages if you’ve got lots of relevant work experience). Don’t spend too much time on personal details and interests, but rather focus on any previous work experience. Adding in a photograph of yourself is also a nice touch, as it puts a face to your application, making it stand out against other CVs. IMPORTANT: Make sure that your CV and Cover letter are clear and to the point, and that you check it for any spelling errors. Also ensure that you have done some research on a particular resort before applying for a position. This demonstrates that you’ve put some effort into your application. For other examples, check out: http://www.coolworks.com/job-seeker-guide/seasonal-resume-tips.asp for some good tips and example CVs.
15 October 2009 To: James Moore (HR Vail Resorts) I am writing to you to enquire about the possibility of working at Vail Resorts for the coming ski season. I am a South African student at the University of Cape Town, and together with three friends, we are participants on Chilli Adventures’ J1 Winter Work Travel program. They are assisting us with obtaining J-1 visas, enabling us to work legally in the US from November to mid-February. We are hoping to arrive in the USA on the 17th November and will all be available to work until the 14th February. We have heard so many amazing stories about Vail from friends that have worked there in previous seasons. We realize we’ll be working hard over our vacation but we’re very excited to experience a new environment, and Vail is certainly where we want to be! s I would therefore greatly appreciate you letting us know of any positions that you have available. My previous work experience has been in hospitality and ticket sales, but we’re all fast learners and would be willing to work in any other position that you may have available. Our CVs are attached here. Should you need further information or require us to complete a resort application, then please just let me know. We are currently also looking for accommodation in the local area and have a couple of leads, however should you have any information regarding employee housing or private housing in the local area, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, John, Kudzayi, Todd and Becky	Your Cover Letter Adding a cover letter to your CV is also very important. The cover letter should be addressed to the particular employer or the Human Resource manager of the resort; this makes the letter appear more professional than generically sending it to ‘Dear Sir’. It should also express your enthusiasm for working for that particular employer. Showing that you’ve done some research on an employer or resort goes a long way in the application process. In your cover letter, you could also include: The fact that you are from South Africa and will be travelling to the USA on a J1 visa. Most employers will be familiar with the particular visa. Your dates of availability (do not lie!) Any particular position you’re interested in (if you’ve had experience in that area, then highlight that fact) Whether you are travelling with friends. Employers (esp. Large resorts) are more than happy to hire groups of people

2. Looking for work in the USA:

Once you have your CV and Cover Letter sorted, you can start to get it out to various employers

Direct Employer Search

This involves contacting employers directly regarding possible positions they have available. Take a look at the ‘Do What & Where’ Page for a huge list of resorts and other employers. Then simply google the resort name for the website and then follow links to the Employment / Staff etc. Most of the larger resort websites will have a portal for employment options with online application forms. Some of the smaller employers will simply provide an email address where you can contact the resorts human resource manager.

Web Directory Links

Another way of looking for a job is to go directly to one of the online job directories. Some of the popular ones are listed below, but there are plenty more on Google. Most tend to be good for both jobs and housing information.

www.coolworks.com
www.skijob1.snow.com
www.j1jobs.com
www.skijob1.snow.com
www.classifieds.tahoedailytribune.com
www.skiodyssey.com
www.snow-guide.com
www.skicentral.com
www.craigslist.com
www.job-search-engine.com
www.internshipprograms.com
www.skitown.com/resortguide/usamap.cfm (If you’re looking for a particular Ski Resort)

* Please note that these sites are subject to change.

Placement Opportunities through Chilli Adventures

Each year Chilli Adventures have a number of employers that hire directly through us. Positions in the past have been with the likes of Starbucks, Aspen Ski Company, Aspen Sports, The Little Nell and Carambola Resort in the US Virgin Islands, to name but a few.

Each employer will have it’s own hiring requirements, so whether you qualify for the jobs in question will depend on the employer directly and what they are looking for in the staff they hire. As a result Chilli Adventures cannot guarantee employment. Most (but not all), employers typically require that you are available for a minimum of 3 months.

If you accept a placement with Chilli Adventures it is still possible to take on a second or third job yourself, so long as it does not negatively impact your original placement. Once you have accepted a placement you are obliged to work to the end of the employment contract.

If you are interested in finding out more about the employers that Chilli are hiring for this season, simply contact your local Office. NOTE: The placement option will incur an additional fee to cover administration.

3. Job Hunt Tips:
	Do not send bulk emails to several employers at a time - this makes you appear less eager. You can use the same ‘template’ but then simply taylor it to the individual resort. Make your CV stand out from the rest!
	Most employers get dozens of emails every day. So, don’t get offended if you don’t get a reply straight away. Save a draft of your original email and resend it after a week or two. Recognize that many employers wont start hiring casual staff until Sept - October, so if you don’t get responses back earlier, don’t worry. Get your CVs sorted and ready to go when you have time earlier in the year. That way as exams approach all you’ll need to do it send out your emails.
	Spell Check!! Get a friend to proof read your CV and cover letter. Bad spelling and grammar is a big turn off for an employer.
	Be sure that your CV is not longer than 1-2 pages and has your last 2 GREAT references with it. Employers view 100’s of applications daily and small errors could cost you the job.
	Send your CV to as many employers as possible. Don’t wait for a reply from one employer, before applying to other possible employers.
	Ensure you have several copies of your CV and cover letter with you when you get out to the US. Also carry this and references on a flash drive so you can print off more or email them. It’s much easier to just drop your CV off with the employer than faxing it.
	Remember that a positive attitude will get you a long way!!

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