Working as a holiday representative is an amazing summer job which offers the chance to live abroad, meet new people, help people and also see amazing places in your spare time. This job can though be long hours and extremely tiring!
Check out our top tips and tricks on how to enjoy the best summer possible as a holiday rep, and survive the experience!
Health and safety
Make sure you follow all rules they are there for a reason if you don’t you may end up in hospital which could put an abrupt end to your stay.
Staying in, it’s ok you won’t explode
Make sure to let your body recover every so often or else you may end up feeling miserable as it doesn’t just effect your body it effects your mood more than anything. You could find yourself becoming negative and starting to judge others like a grumpy old man/woman
Don’t fall into holiday mode
Holiday mode refers to the care free money spending holiday goers who flash their cash for a week and then are never seen again, you are going to be there for a while so don’t go crazy take everything in step by step and use your wristband
Leave your past at home
Once you are on that plane its time to leave the negatives behind you and find the positive you, up for meeting new people and learning new skills
Don’t drive a mopped
Most European holiday destinations like Spain, Greece and Cyprus offer the chance to rent a moped. Simply put don’t – they are death machines!
Wristbands
In most European destinations you can buy wristbands, this will get you money off many great expenses such as food, drink, club entry and excursions etc.
Listen to your reps
Your rep knows the resort inside out and will always give you the best possible advice, listen to what they say and you will have an amazing summer.
Network network network
Introduce yourself to EVERYONE!! the more people you know the more workers benefits you will receive
PMA=positive – mental – attitude
Remember to keep your positive head – ‘In life you are only as happy as the people you mix with – so with this in mind try to keep away from the moaners and player haters, these people will bring you down (energy vampires) positive people will raise the vibration and keep you high all summer long.
Bring money out
Every year without fail a handful of people take their life savings out with them and then lose it all – Keep all your money on a bankcard or a travel money card, days of changing all your money before you go are long gone:
Just walk away
Just like at home, if you see drunk people arguing or fighting just walk away, don’t get involved as 9 times out of 10 you will end up getting arrested or worse
Overindulging
You may be on holiday but you need to be able to last the whole summer so binge drinking day and night is not advised, everything will be fine until your liver shuts down and you owe a hospital 600euros for a drip (has happened to workers in resort) a meltdown will happen if you don’t look after yourself, have fun, but take it easy – it’s a marathon not a race. Most bars and clubs are open until 5am and holidaymakers only have to deal with the party atmosphere for a week or a fortnight. Remember, you’re on a working holiday so you’ll be experiencing it week in, week out. Even the most hard-core party animals should have a few nights off the booze each week. And drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Sunburn and burnout
If you’re planning on working abroad, there’s nothing worse than turning up for work on your first day looking like a lobster! Take it easy for the first couple of days as you’ll have plenty of time during your stay to achieve that golden tan.
Befriend bar staff
Find a job with great drinking benefits.
Driving abroad
- License: As in the UK, if you want to drive you’ll need to bring your UK driving license.
- Age Limit: Hire companies will want you to be 21, sometimes 25, to hire a vehicle.
- Types ofVehicles: Scooters – Cars – Buggies.
- Safety: When driving scooters and buggies abroad be aware that drunken holidaymakers will randomly walk into the roads without looking. We recommend that you don’t hire a vehicle unless you have the correct medical insurance as hospital bills will be costly
Security and vital info
Lock your Doors There is a security guard operating in some apartment complexes, but you should still lock your doors when going out or before passing out at night! Don’t leave expensive items on show, and make sure that you keep your curtains closed; this makes your apartment less vulnerable as well as keeping it nice and cool.Be Prepared
E-mail yourself all your important information. Passport number, flight details, all confirmation correspondence, travellers’ cheque numbers, important phone numbers etc. Also take photocopies of your important documents and leave originals in your safe. We would strongly recommend as a precautionary method, not to take large amounts of cash around with you. As we say the resorts are safe, but you never know what might happen and precautions need to be in place.
Money
Even though most apartments have safes, we you use a card for security so take your Credit/Debit card or a Euro Cash Passport, both of these options offer good exchange rates and this is safer as you are the only person with your card pin and you can limit your expenses by withdrawing a weekly allowance.
Phones – internet and Wi-Fi
If you’re planning on taking your mobile with you make it a priority to get a Spanish/Greek chip. This will stop you being charged for receiving incoming calls and your outgoing calls will be 60% cheaper. A Spanish chip will cost you 20 Euros and you should get around 15 Euros initial credit – amounts vary according to the network.
We recommend buying phone cards as they are a cheaper way of staying in touch with your family and friends when you’re on a working holiday. Things have changed from the days of mobile providers inflicting heavy damage on your bank account for using data roaming – our advice TURN IT OFF – use free Wi-Fi ask you rep in resort for more info
Take it in your stride
Working abroad can be a little daunting at first for some. Try to get to know all the workers and listen to what they say when their working. It does take a few days to get into the swing of things, so don’t be upset with yourself if you’re not doing well in the first few days. It takes time. Remember, no job is easy at first! Also, if you are having problems your reps are there to help so don’t be afraid to ask.
Looking to find a position? Browse our gap year jobs or you might like to view our guide to the best summer ideas for students.