How to Find Great Seasonal Help
It’s just a couple of months – a seasonal hire is a quick fix, right? Maybe not! With the power to create a year’s worth of trouble in just a few months of work, hiring temporary employees requires just as much care and attention as hiring a full-time worker. To make the most out of limited time, we recommend you take the following steps to landing the perfect seasonal employee.
Start early
If you know your company or industry’s busiest months are July-September, begin job postings and recruiting 2-3 months in advance to snag the top talent before they hunt elsewhere. Additionally, you give yourself leeway to continue hunting should a new hire change plans unexpectedly, as happens often these days.
Clearly define your needs
Make best use of time for both your business and your candidate by identifying exactly what help is needed. A customer service position in busier months, for example, helps you search for a people-focused employee. It helps to go over the job description with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that you both include necessary duties and requirements and also remove any that aren’t imperative to job performance.
Choose wisely
Treat the hiring process for seasonal workers with as much care and scrutiny as you would for a full-term hire. A disorganized, unqualified, or careless short-term worker can create long-time issues for your company. Besides, that seasonal or part-time worker could become a full employee in the future if things work out!
Expand your age range
College students home for the summer are eager for a paid position and real-world experience, and they have the drive and enthusiasm to adapt to challenges as they come upon them. Retirees can also make excellent part-time hires as they bring years of experience to the table, while they earn some extra money.
Follow-up with references
Background checks are just as essential – if not more so – for your seasonal assistant as they are for your full-time employees. A quick phone call to your applicant’s references will help you understand where they’re coming from, why they need work for a shorter time period, and whether or not they’re able and willing to learn quickly and work hard.
At Skywalk Group, we help you hire, train, and empower your employees whether they’re with you for a few months or until retirement. Give us a call to make the most out of your recruitment strategy!