Working on the Road
Yes, I know the whole idea is to retire and NOT work any more, but it is a great way to stretch your retirement dollars (which may be taking another hit as we speak). Plus, many of your RV family actually enjoy their RV jobs. Often they are in beautiful locations, they get to explore the out-of-the-way gems on their days off, they meet lots of great people, and often have reduced rates for special attractions. One couple worked in Branson and saw all the shows at reduced prices. Disney workers can go to other Disney parks.
What kind of work can you do?
Many of the jobs are in campgrounds or RV parks. But there are a variety of opportunities out there:
amusement parks, circuses, Amazon.com (filling orders before the holidays), selling Christmas trees and pumpkins, house sitting, gas leak inspectors, selling advertising for campground maps, etc. People can continue their professions. Nurses, doctors, physical therapists can get accredited in certain states where they like to travel and work for part of the year and play the rest of the time.
When I was in Mexico I met a lawyer who did estate planning for the foreigners who had retired there. People taught Spanish to the visitors or English to the locals. There is no limit to what you can do. One time my husband and I were in the right place at the right time and got paid $250 to wander through a county fair in Maine and play our music and sing. Others perform for a fee regularly at RV Resorts.
Can singles find work too?
Absolutely. Although they say they prefer couples because it’s cheaper to provide one housing site for two people, many of our solo friends have no trouble finding jobs. One of the photos is of our good friend Betty Prange who loves to challenge herself. For the last two years she’s been a tour director and bus driver on very difficult terrain. Last year she was at Glacier National Park and this year at Yellowstone.
How do you apply for jobs?
The best 
way is to prepare a résumé. If you have never worked at this type of job, consider a combination functional and chronological format for your résumé. Before you start, think about the job you’re applying for, what the employers say they’re looking for, and what you have done in your personal and volunteer life as well as your work life. For example, if you want to do campground maintenance, think about the maintenance you did on your own home. The bigger RV resorts have an automated registration program. Even if you haven’t done that before but want to work in the office, mention the computer and office experience you’ve had.
Start off with a Specific Objective, then have a one or two-sentence Summary paragraph highlighting your biggest selling points. Then have a few categories of Skills they say they’re looking for: Computer Experience, Maintenance Experience, Customer Service, etc. Then briefly mention a few of your key jobs in your work life. Try to stay within one page per person. Have a few references ready and put them on a separate page if they ask for them. Don’t waste a line on your résumé saying “References are available on request.” They know you have them.
The purpose of résumé is to get you an interview, so don’t put in EVERYTHING you ever did since kindergarten.
Where do you find jobs?
Ask other people what’s available. If you’re at a campground or resort you like, ask the managers about next season. Check the local newspapers. One of the best resources is Workamper News. For a nominal price, they publish a monthly hard copy magazine, but even better is their online information that is always up-to-date. They also have excellent informational articles, discussion forums, and more.
Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak, my writing partner, is the editor of the Workamper Viewpoint forum. She also wrote Support Your RV Lifestyle: An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road, which has been referred to as “the Bible of working on the road.”
I look forward to hearing from you if have worked on the road and would like to share your experiences, or if you’re curious and have questions.
ANNOUNCEMENT: SHARE YOUR STORIES IN A NEW BOOK
Choosing the RV Lifestyle: Real People, Real Choices
Jaimie and I have a new project. We are exploring the RV lifestyle and the decisions people have made about various aspects about RVing and how it compares to the reality. We’ll cover a variety of topics such as affording it, choosing a rig, life on the road and how you spend your time, insurance. We’ll also be discussing changing gears-going full time, getting a homebase, getting off the road, not traveling as much.
We will credit your contribution unless you prefer we not do so. In the author’s bios you can mention your website or blog or published works, if applicable. Each contributor whose input is used will receive a copy of the e-book. We will also give a small payment after publication and some sales.
If you would be willing to share your knowledge, please download/copy the guidelines at http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/pdfs/CHOOSING%20THE%20RV%20LIFESTYLE%20guidelines.pdf If you have trouble or can’t access the Web, e-mail me at youshoulda @ aol. com (remove spaces) for a copy. We appreciate your help as will other RV wannabees!
Safe travels,
Alice Zyetz
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Re: Working on the Road.
There seem to be an increasing number of telecommuting jobs, many of which are part time. One telecommuting job’s site is:
http://www.virtualvocations.com/
You can see their RSS feed at:
feed://www.virtualvocations.com/rss
I am no longer on the road, but I keep an eye on the RSS feed for jobs that I can do from my remote, isolated, location on the southern coast of Oregon.
Today they list jobs in finance, legal writing, website design, sales, animator, grant writer, graphic designer, and many more (99 postings today).
Of course for all of these jobs you need a computer and a reliable Internet connection (Wi-Fi, satellite Internet, whatever).
Best regards,
Tom
I usually have job lined up when I travel and frequently use my motorhome instead of booking a hotel. That was the main reason for my purchasing a RV! My prblem is that the price of campground fees, location of campgrounds vs. location of a room, hotel or efficiency apt. makes it hard to make a choice as to where I stay! When I first purchased the RV Location of the park was always the deciding factor. Now with all the storms not only the availablity of a space but the fees attached makes the decision harder. In the SE Texas, Lousiana region the price of a camping space is almost as high as staying in a hotel. Any suggestions or tips would be very much appreciated seeing as I’m a newby to RVing!!!!! Also I work as an Instrument technician and mostly work in refineries(chemical,oil, gas) and power plants.
We usually look for state parks that have electricity and, if possible, water. We have a blue tank for the sewer if we stay in one place a while. Often when we volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, we get free or very lowcost camping spots. Louisiana has been giving Katrina relief volunteers half price in the state parks. Our longest work camping stint each winter is camp hosting in a Florida state park. For 20 hours a week of work between us, we get free camping with electricity and water. We prefer state and national parks to commercial campgrounds just for the beauty of it.
Jean
I was told Disney didn’t do Work Kamping. Is this true?
To Steven J. Turner’s request for low cost rv campgrounds in the SE Texas/Louisiana areas – you need to get a RV Parks, Campgrounds & Services Directory like the one put out by Trailer Life (part of the Good Sam Club). I looked through my directory under Louisiana and it showed many throughout the state for under $20. Texas was a little harder. You might try looking for public or state parks, which many times are under $20 per night. Also, at many of the private campgrounds, if you are going to be staying for a month, you can get a discount on the rate. All you have to do is call them. The phone numbers and everything you need to know about rv campgrounds are in the Directory. Also, since you have a motorhome, have you every tried boondocking? You just need to ask. My husband and I are relative “newbies”, too, but we’ve had some great help from people on the road and at home. Linda Edwards
Wendy, Alice asked me to check this out. One Workamper did report that when they showed up to apply, they were told there were no jobs. Another said it had to do with closing Pleasure Island and that they were reassinging those folks other jobs in the park.
I called the Job Line at 407-828-1000 and, right now it states that there are limited openings. However, if you are a strong candidate, you would be considered for future openings. I would definitely call the Job Line before heading that way to see if the situation has changed.
Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road
Thank you for site I’m a Home RVing in Tx. hope that this help some one on the road or at Home http://www.scriptures.cc/165461 I have 1976 RV old but good and love it, Hurrican IKE help me I lost my home but God Bless me with a RV and a Home Based Business Go…RVing……. GBY