How to Recruit Seasonal Employees for the Busy Holiday Season

The holiday season is approaching quickly! And while some consider it the most wonderful time of the year, small business owners may see this period as a time of increased customer demand, higher inventory requirements, and an even greater need for a strong, capable team to manage operations effectively.

According to a recent survey, 72% holiday shoppers planned to buy from a small business, so if you find this stretch of the year a busy one, recruiting seasonal employees can be one way to help relieve some of the pressure. That way, operations run smoothly and customer satisfaction can be maintained.

When adding new seasonal members to your team, there are some tips you can keep in mind, including:

• Start recruiting seasonal employees as soon as possible
• Create specific and honest job descriptions for each role
• Share your business’s values, culture, and perks to attract seasonal employees
• Optimize the application and interview process
• Use multiple channels, including print materials, to recruit seasonal employees
• Provide sufficient training to seasonal employees for consistency

Start recruiting seasonal employees as soon as possible

The holiday period can find a way of sneaking up on you if you don’t plan. The last thing you want is to rush the recruitment process, face competition from larger retailers, or end up hiring fewer seasonal employees than you anticipated, potentially causing increased demand on current employees.

Writing and posting your job openings early allows you to carefully review applications, conduct interviews, have enough time to train before the holiday rush, and adjust team schedules effectively.

Create specific and honest job descriptions for each role

You may know you need to hire seasonal employees, but what exactly do you need them to accomplish in their role? Understanding potential gaps and how seasonal employees can fit in can make writing job postings much easier.

Do you simply need to increase the number of members on your current team? Is there something specific a seasonal employee can do to help make this busy season run more smoothly, such as ordering from vendors or managing inventory? Being as specific as possible when crafting job responsibilities is key, as it will help narrow in on candidates who understand exactly what they’re getting into before applying.

It is also important to be honest in your job description. If you expect someone to work on a holiday when some employees traditionally have the day off, be sure to make that clear. Additionally, be sure to indicate expected working hours, such as evenings or weekends, as well as the rate you’re offering. Setting expectations early can help attract interested candidates who also have the time available.

Share your business’s values, culture, and perks to attract seasonal employees

Attracting seasonal employees is similar to hiring full-time staff, as you want to find candidates who can seamlessly integrate into the workplace culture you have created. Ideally, you also want to find those who share your business’s values so that the work they do aligns with the expectations you and your customers have for your business. One of the most important ways to achieve this? Share it in your job description!

While it is necessary to include key details like the job title, primary responsibilities, work hours, your location, and how long the length of employment is, a job description can also be a place to share a blurb about your business’s origin story, your mission and values, what it is exactly that you produce and sell to customers, etc.

If you offer specific perks for employees, be sure to share them, too. While there may be a pool of people only interested in seasonal work, you want to increase the chances of them choosing your business over others.

Optimize the application and interview process

A complicated or drawn-out application and interview process can strongly discourage potential candidates, especially those seeking temporary roles who know it won’t be a long-term personal investment.

You can keep the process optimized by starting with a simple application. Only ask for key pieces of information you know you need to effectively consider candidates, and keep it mobile-friendly so those interested can quickly complete this step. From there, set aside time to review each applicant.

When it’s time to select the top few you’re interested in speaking with, keep the interview process efficient by asking some key questions, and try to pick up on their personality. The holiday season can bring added pressure on employees, so finding those who are up for the job is key.

Use multiple channels, including print materials, to recruit seasonal employees

Once you are equipped with a clear intention and effective job descriptions, you’re ready to start posting to multiple channels. To cast a wide net, it can be important to post on multiple job boards, but it is also crucial to consider where your applicants may be searching. For example, Indeed or ZipRecruiter may be more suitable for those seeking seasonal work than LinkedIn, where you often see more corporate or full-time job opportunities.

Step into the shoes of a seasonal worker. For instance, are there local job boards on social media platforms you can share on? Would university or college career centers allow you to post your job listing? Maybe there’s a community job fair coming up in your town that you can attend. Consider a range of relevant options to be sure you reach a wide audience, especially since the applicant pool may be small among those seeking only seasonal work.

Print materials can also be a great way to let people know you’re hiring for the season, especially if you want to narrow your focus to hiring locally. Creating flyers or posters you can share in your store and on community bulletin boards at local cafés, schools, libraries, or gyms can be a great place to start (always ask first). Those seeking this type of employment can include students and retirees, so consider where these groups frequent.

When creating print materials, consider including:

• Clear, simple, and limited messaging for easy viewing
• Your branding (fonts, colours, logo, etc.) to maintain consistency and boost brand awareness
• A QR code to the application to make applying even easier

Check out The UPS Store’s online print shop to find options that can get you started on your seasonal hiring journey.

Provide sufficient training to seasonal employees for consistency

One of the final stages of the recruitment process before your seasonal employees start working is training. While hiring seasonal employees offers several advantages, a potential concern is that they may not integrate seamlessly into your existing workflow, which could impact quality. That’s why it is crucial to provide effective training for seasonal employees.

Be sure to cover essential topics such as customer service guidelines, specific methods for producing your products or providing services, and safety protocols. This will help seasonal employees feel confident in their roles, even if they are only with you for a short time.

An additional benefit to providing adequate training is that if you plan to re-hire these seasonal employees the following year, assuming they are available and interested, you may not need to conduct as extensive training during subsequent seasons.

Small Business Solutions with The UPS Store

As you prep for the holidays, The UPS Store can assist with key elements of your small business with our Small Business Solutions. Our team can assist with your printing needs, packaging and shipping, mailbox rentals, and more. Find a location near you to get started.

For more tips to prep for the holidays, check out our Holiday Hub.