As the holiday season approaches, your business may start to see an increase in demand along with employees and coworkers taking some time off. For these reasons, getting ahead and planning for holiday hiring is important. Make sure you have all the help you need for the holiday rush so that your current team doesn’t get overwhelmed. Planning your strategy will help ensure you have an efficient team during the busy season.
One thing to remember: many companies are probably thinking like you and are already looking into hiring extra help. Start early to stay ahead of the competition and ensure you have the top talent you need for your teams.
Tips to Keep in Mind for Efficient Holiday Hiring
Here are some helpful tips to build a successful team during the holidays.
Tip #1: Start early
When planning for holiday hiring, you want to make sure you jump on hiring candidates early. Every company in your industry will also be looking, and you want to make sure you find top talent first to stay ahead of the competition. Starting early will give you access to a wider pool of candidates and more time to interview and screen them thoroughly.
Tip #2: Use multiple recruiting platforms
You want to make sure you cast a wide net to grab the attention of candidates. Use various hiring platforms including social media and your company website. You can also consider reaching out to colleges and universities to see if students are looking for temporary work during the holidays. Additionally, partnering with a staffing firm like Roth Staffing and their specialized lines of business can also give you access to a wide array of qualified candidates and streamline the hiring process.
Tip #3: Write clear job descriptions
Your job posting needs to stand out, which means that you need to highlight the perks and incentives that come with the temporary role. This may include flexible hours, discounts, bonuses and potential for long-term hiring in the future. In your job description, you need to be clear about the hours expected, what skills are needed and what the job expectations are. Good descriptions will attract high-quality candidates who will fit what you are looking for.
Tip #4: Keep interviews and training efficient
Since this is a temporary position, you want to ensure that the onboarding and training process is efficient but also will provide adequate information for the new hire. Streamline the interview process by implementing phone and video interviews as well as group interviews. You can even perform necessary assessments to understand candidates’ skill sets and evaluate them accordingly.
Tip #5: Offer competitive wages
You may need to up your incentive and salary game by offering bonuses or a slightly higher wage to attract top talent to work for you during this busy season. Consider offering referral bonuses, discounts and flexible hours if possible. Not only do these incentives attract more candidates but will help you retain employees when you need them the most.
Tip #6: Nurture a positive work environment
The holiday season can often be stressful as employees are dealing with the holiday rush and high customer demand. You want to try to keep morale high and create a supportive environment where your coworkers are happy and engaged. Encourage teamwork, recognize your employees’ hard work, and organize some team-building activities. Making your employees feel valued will go a long way toward keeping them motivated and productive.