How to Hire Seasonal Employees: Simple Tips for Success

Most businesses have fluctuations in workload, but some businesses, such as retail stores, snow removal companies, and tax preparers, feel the need to change staffing needs during different times. Retail, and other industries, have been hiring seasonal employees during holidays for the longest time. Lately, however, finding the right people is not getting any easier. No matter which industry you belong to, it is a great opportunity to make sure that you have a plan to hire the right team. Regardless of what season your peak period is, make sure you hire top-seasonal staff. Good people ensure that the operation does not stop smoothening and that customer service is not compromised. Discover how to hire seasonal employees effectively so that your team keeps staffing.

Effectively Hiring Seasonal Employees
Effectively Hiring Seasonal Employees

What Does Hiring Seasonal Employees Mean?

Hiring Seasonal Employees Means bringing additional workforce during peak times in a year. Seasonal employees are short-term employees working for a short time period, sometimes just for weeks or months, to aid businesses during their busy season. For example, additional staff is hired during holiday shopping seasons by retailers. Hospitality industries, including hotels and resorts, employ more workers during the summer. Tax preparers and accounting firms need additional staff during tax season. Whether it’s for the holiday or summer rush of retail and hospitality, big projects for tech companies, or tax time for accounting firms, good temporary workers are a must. But they’re hard to find.

How to Hire Seasonal Employees?

Wondering how to hire seasonal employees? Consider the following things before hiring seasonal employees:

  • Start Hiring Early

    Hire the best talents three months ahead of time for your seasonal needs. You want skilled people to fit in with your team. Thus, you would want to give yourself some time to train them properly. Seasonal hires work directly with your team and customers, so the right fit matters. A bad hire is worse than no hire at all, so attract a bigger talent pool by keeping the application process simple. Long, complex applications discourage young, qualified candidates. Make sure there's a mobile-friendly option to apply.

  • Provide a Strong Onboarding Process

    Seasonal employee training is valuable and not a waste of time. They also need to interact with customers so it is important that they know your brand, product, and customer approach. So give them time to learn and settle and always keep a check-in meeting set in place. Their asking for help will do well, increase performance levels, cut down on potential errors, and lessen the tasks at managers' desks.

  • Attract Talent through Attractive Job Description

    To hire seasonal employee, use your job description to stand out and attract the best candidates with the required skills. Probably the main point is competitive pay. Put it in your job description and people will be way more apt to apply when they see that pay upfront. Perks also can be a good draw-in for applications for flexible schedules, holiday bonuses, or in-store discounts. Your job description should accurately reflect the role and what it is like working with your company. Your job description should be easy to read and to make it one you can use bullet points and short paragraphs.

Effectively Hiring Seasonal Employees

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Effectively Hiring Seasonal Employees

  • Expand Your Applicant Sources

    During the holiday season, job boards can be an excellent way to hire seasonal employee, showing the need for big quantity over quality. According to the data analysis it shows, 60 percent of our applications come from job boards, and only 37 percent of hires originally came from there. The numbers seem to compare significantly with referrals and career pages.

    Employees referred candidates are 11 times more likely to hire than job board sources. Those applying through your career page are 4 times more likely to hire than those applying through other career pages. That is reason enough to ensure employee referrals are an important part of the recruitment strategy throughout the entire year, not just holidays. It is also a great time to review your career page to ensure your employer brand is showcased correctly.

  • Consider Recruiting Former Employees

    Another strategy to hire seasonal employees that can help in reducing the recruitment time is boomerang hiring, which involves hiring employees who had left the company previously. Boomerang employees who return to your company are hired faster, trained more quickly, and usually bring fewer surprises. A great tip is to consider hiring college students who may have left your company before due to class schedules. Reach out to them to see if their current schedule fits your staffing needs or if they're interested in working during their winter breaks.

  • Provide Better Seasonal Experience

    Treat seasonal employees well. Negative employee reviews may discourage both part-time and seasonal applicants and have a negative impact on your company's brand. Don't make them feel like an outsider and treat them as regular employees. Encourage staff connections, provide a healthy work environment, include them in newsletters, and reward them for outstanding work. Even if seasonal employees are only going to be with you for a short time, they can make a lasting impression that helps build next year's seasonal workforce and attracts future permanent employees.

Benefits of Hiring Seasonal Employees

  • Help Reduce Payroll Costs

    Small business owners often spend a significant portion of their revenue on employee payroll. In 2024, employees cost employers over $40/hour on average, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Hiring seasonal employees can help lower these costs. You’ll only incur payroll expenses when seasonal workers are on your roster.
    If you hire seasonal employees for part-time positions, they may not work enough hours to qualify for overtime pay, further reducing your payroll expenses.

  • Consider Temporary Hires for Future Full-Time Positions

    Seasonal employees are usually hired with a set end date. However, you might find that a seasonal worker is a good fit and decide to offer them a full-time position after their term ends. This approach allows you to assess their performance without the pressure of a permanent hire.

  • Maintain Quality During Busy Times

    Seasonal hires are beneficial for small businesses experiencing high demand in certain months. When customer numbers increase, your current team might feel overwhelmed. Bringing in temporary help can ensure you maintain quality service and uphold your company’s reputation.

  • Boost Team Morale

    Adding seasonal employees can enhance the capacity of your current team. Extra support can help prevent burnout during busy periods. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to stay engaged, which can lead to better retention in the long run.

Effectively Hiring Seasonal Employees
Resolve Workplace Disputes

  • Help Control Payroll Expenses

    Many small business owners are paying too much to their employees as employee payroll. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of 2024, employees cost employers more than $40/hour on average. Hiring seasonal employees can bring down these expenses for you. If you hire seasonal employees in part-time positions, they may not work enough hours to qualify for overtime pay, which further reduces your payroll expenses.

  • Temporary Employees for Future Full-Time Positions

    Many employers hire seasonal workers on a date-specific basis. Sometimes, though, you'll find that the seasonal worker really works for you and wants to keep the employee working past the term. That allows you to test their ability without having the headache of a permanent hire.

  • Quality During Peak Periods

    Seasonal hires can really help small businesses during those months when demand is unusually high. When the customer demand rises, your regular crew may get overwhelmed. Temporarily hiring people ensures that you do not compromise the level of service and compromise the reputation of your company.

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