How much will I be paid and in what form will this payment be made?

SUMMER STAFF: The overseas representative's pay varies according to seniority and availability. The basic rate of pay (including accommodation) starts at £120 or £140 per week (depending on seniority) and is paid in sterling into a UK bank account of your choice on the last Friday of each month (following your employment start date). For our walking guides the basic wage is from £180.

WINTER REPS:The winter representative's wage is from £120 per week. This is paid in sterling into a UK bank account of your choice on the last Friday of each month (following your employment start date). There is also a one-off payment of up to £150 for ski clothing/equipment (receipts to be supplied).

What sort of accommodation is provided for overseas representatives?

SUMMER STAFF: This varies from region to region. Normally we find self contained rooms or flats close to the hotels in the region, which are quite basic but probably comparable to student accommodation in the UK. Sometimes the accommodation takes the form of a room in a hotel where our clients will be staying. Due to time commitments and availability, sometimes it is necessary, at the beginning of season, to stay in pre-booked hotel accommodation until he/she can find some suitable accommodation for the season.

WINTER REPS: Varies from region to region, either hotel accommodation with meals supplied, or self contained rooms or flats. Basic wage (£120) is based on hotel accommodation with full board. Wages are increased for guides living out of hotel. Private phone calls are the responsibility of the Employee.

When and where will the interviews be held?

Interviews are held in our offices in Northwich, Cheshire (England). Successful short listed candidates will be informed of their interview date and time by post or telephone. Unfortunately because of the volume of applications we receive each year, we cannot reply to all unsuccessful candidates.

Will travelling expenses be refunded? (for travel to and from the interview)

Yes - we will refund a 2nd class rail ticket or reasonable petrol expenses (for anyone travelling by car). Remember to keep receipts.

Will I be given any training?

SUMMER STAFF: Yes - all successful candidates will have the opportunity to meet each other during our 4/5 day training course. For those going out to work in Italy this will be in late March. For France, the training course will be held late April. This will include a driving skills lesson, bike maintenance, complaint handling procedures, first aid and product knowledge.

WINTER STAFF: Product training and guide training will be arranged at beginning of December.

How will I get to the holiday area to start work?

Travel to your country of work is paid for and arranged by Headwater Holidays. This may involve travelling out alone on public transport or you may be required to drive a company minibus or car from our office in Northwich to your area.

When will I know which holiday area I will be working in?

We will, where possible, honour any preference for one of our areas, but the job or even the area may change before the end of the season. As previously stated we require our reps to be flexible and adaptable, often at short notice! We normally decide who will be assigned to each region when we meet you all together on the training course.

How well do I need to speak the language?

We require our representatives to have a very good knowledge of the language of the country they are working in. We choose our holiday areas as they are unspoilt and are places where tourism plays a minor role. You will therefore find that it is unlikely that the locals/hoteliers will speak English.

How will I get home again?

Providing that you stay put until the work/season is finished to Headwater's satisfaction and complete your contract dates, we will pay your fare from your area to your home address. In the event of the company requiring you to drive one of our cars/minibuses back to England we will pay for your fare from the office back to your home address. Any rep not wishing to return under these conditions will not be given travel assistance home.

Are there any vacancies for couples?

Yes, we have had several couples working for us over the past years.

Can I have friends or relatives out to stay with me?

Normally this is only possible, if at all, in low season and is at the discretion of your hotelier if you are lodging in one of our hotels. Even if you are working in an area where you live in an apartment, we would ask that you obtain our permission before inviting anyone to stay. If you do have people to stay, their being there should not affect your work, as obviously clients always come first. In any case we would not normally expect people to stay for more than a week.

If you have any further questions contact our Operations Manager, Mike Wheeler, on +44 (1606) 720006  Mike.Wheeler@Headwater.com