Tips for Hiring Seasonal Workers

If you're one of the many businesses that experience a seasonal uptick in demand, you may be planning to hire seasonal workers. Whether it's to handle an increase in business or cover employee absences, hiring temporary employees can be a great way to supplement your staff and get you through busy seasons. But how do you go about finding and hiring the best employees? If you are an employer or hiring manager looking for seasonal talent, use the following tips to make your seasonal hiring process go more smoothly.

Get Started Early

If you're looking to hire seasonal employees, you're not alone. Many businesses need some extra help to get them through their busy seasons. The demand for seasonal employees is high, and the hiring process can be time-consuming, so start early. It takes time to find the right person, and you don't want to be left scrambling at the last minute. The best candidates are usually snapped up early, and delaying your hiring will not only give you a smaller pool of candidates to choose from, but will also force you to rush your hiring process or accept underqualified candidates.

Post Your Job on Multiple Sites

When you’re looking to hire seasonal employees, it’s important to post your job description on multiple sites. This will provide more opportunities for people to see that you are hiring and will give you a larger pool of applicants. In addition to posting on your company website and job sites, make the most of your social media pages to promote your openings. You can also advertise on community job boards or college job boards to attract college students looking for a temporary job over the holiday season. You never know where your next great seasonal hire is going to come from, so don't rely solely on any one resource!

Write a Good Job Ad

When you’re writing your job description, be straightforward about the fact that you are hiring for seasonal roles and how long they are expected to last. Include relevant keywords to help your job posting appear in job search engines’ results, such as "seasonal," "temporary," "part-time," and "flexible," in addition to keywords that are relevant to the specific job title. You want to attract seasonal employees who are looking for temporary work and will commit to the full time period. Be clear and concise in explaining job duties and expectations, and don't forget to sell the role by emphasizing any perks or bonuses you offer.

Use Employee Referrals

One of the easiest ways to fill seasonal roles is to ask your regular employees if they know anyone who might be interested in working as a seasonal employee. They may have friends or family members who are looking to make extra money or gain some experience. Offer a referral bonus for each successful hire who stays for a predetermined period of time. This will incentivize your current employees to help you find quality candidates and allow you to show your appreciation for their help.

Recruit Former Employees

If you're looking for experienced seasonal workers, reach out to former employees who have done a good job in the past. Whether these were former temporary workers, seasonal hires, or full-time employees, they will already be familiar with your company and the position requirements. They will also be able to assist in any required skills training for new employees so they can get up to speed more quickly. And since you are already familiar with their work ethic and strengths, you can have confidence that they will be reliable and do the job well.

Partner with a Staffing Agency

Working with a temp staffing agency is an excellent solution to your seasonal hiring needs, whether you're short on time, lack the internal resources to handle a hiring surge, or want to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. Staffing agencies have the resources and expertise to help you find the best candidates for your positions, and they have a pipeline of candidates who are open to new opportunities, so you can hire temporary workers more quickly. Additionally, as the legal employer, they handle everything from payroll to insurance. The right recruiter will enable you to focus on your business while they find you the extra help you need.

Offer a Competitive Wage

If you only offer the minimum wage for temporary employees, you are unlikely to attract the best candidates. Many businesses have seasonal staffing needs, and employees who are looking to make some extra cash during the holiday rush are more likely to take the position that pays the most. If you want to attract high-quality candidates, offer a competitive wage that is in line with what others in your industry are offering for similar positions. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrambling to hire at the last minute or you may fail to get enough candidates to meet your seasonal needs at all.

Be Flexible When Possible

Understand that your seasonal hires may be working another job or going to school, so try to be flexible where possible. They may only be available to work weekends or evenings, or they may need to leave early on certain days. If you can accommodate their scheduling needs, you'll be more likely to retain them for the duration of the season.

Streamline Your Onboarding Process

Before you hire seasonal employees, review your standard onboarding process to make sure you can easily and efficiently bring in seasonal staff. Check that you are in compliance with all applicable hiring laws, and then make sure your onboarding process is streamlined to efficiently handle your seasonal hiring needs. It is crucial to have a clear, straightforward system in place to keep track of everyone's schedule and the hours they have worked, since these can change frequently as business needs and employee availability shift. Create a detailed orientation packet that outlines all of the policies and procedures seasonal employees need to know about, and clearly communicate your expectations for their position so everyone is on the same page.

Don't Skip Training for Seasonal Employees

Whether they will be working for you for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, make sure your seasonal hires receive adequate training. This will help them be successful in their roles and prevent any issues or accidents from occurring. If you are hiring seasonal help due to increased demand during a busy season, you want your seasonal staff to be able to jump in and hit the ground running without any hiccups. The last thing you want is for your extra help to actually slow down your business because they aren't familiar with your products or processes. In addition to providing training, make sure some of your permanent employees are available to provide support or answer any questions your temporary workers may have.

Hire for Attitude as Well as Skills

For some positions, attitude is just as important as skills or experience, so don't focus exclusively on the resume when interviewing candidates. For example, if you're hiring for a customer service role, it's critical to find people who are friendly and customer-focused. A candidate's attitude during the interview can also provide insight into whether they are really interested and willing to commit to the position. A candidate who needs some training, but is motivated to learn and has a great attitude, is often more successful and will be a better fit for your company culture than someone who is experienced but has a negative attitude.

Be Prepared for Turnover

Some turnover is often inevitable if you are hiring several temporary or seasonal employees. This is a common aspect of temporary positions, as people may take on seasonal work to earn extra money and then move on to something else when their priorities change or a better opportunity becomes available. While it's not ideal, it's important to be prepared for this possibility and have a plan in place to quickly replace or pick up the slack for any employees who do leave.

Keep an Eye Out for Talent

Hiring seasonal employees is a great way to manage increased workloads during a busy season. However, just because someone is only with you for a short time doesn't mean you can't find talented permanent employees. If an employee expresses an interest in full-time employment or is a top performer, observe their work during the seasonal employment period to determine if they meet the qualifications for any of your current job openings. If you've found an outstanding employee and have an appropriate opening, discuss the possibility of bringing them on board. If they're interested, don't wait – make an offer before another employer does!

Conduct Exit Interviews

As an employer, it's important to discuss your employees’ experiences at the end of their time with your company, regardless of how long their position lasted. This process is known as an “exit interview,” and it can provide valuable insights into how you can improve your business. The feedback you receive from seasonal employees can be helpful in making changes to your company's policies, procedures, and overall culture. They also give you a chance to identify any areas where you can better streamline your onboarding process and improve the employee experience for your regular employees as well as your temporary or seasonal hires. Encourage employees to be honest, and thank them for their feedback as well as their time with your company. You will not only be able to identify and address any issues before the next busy season, but you will also be able to show your employees that their work is appreciated and their input is valued.

Plan for Next Year

At the end of each season, reach out to your successful employees and ask if they would be interested in returning the next time you have an increased need. Keep a list of any who are interested and make them your first call for hiring when the next season begins. This will help you build a pipeline of qualified, experienced workers that you can draw from year after year. Not only will this save you time and effort in the hiring process, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you have a team of experienced workers who are familiar with the job description and require little training to get them up to speed.

Hiring Seasonal Employees Doesn't Have to Be Stressful

Seasonal hiring can be a challenge, but with the right strategy in place, you can streamline the process and find the best seasonal employees for your business. It's important to screen candidates thoroughly, provide adequate training, have a straightforward onboarding process, and be prepared for potential turnover. Work with a temporary staffing agency to get expert assistance and hire more efficiently. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for talented individuals who might be good for full-time positions in the future!

Article Author:

Ashley Meyer

Divisional Business Coordinator

Albany, NY