7 Strategies for Recruiting Seasonal Employees

Laurie Wherley
August 24, 2022

3 min read

For many businesses, the summer and winter seasons bring an influx of seasonal employees. Businesses that use seasonal labor typically need workers at the same time each year, such as lawn care workers in the summer or warehouse and retail workers during the holidays. With the holiday season right around the corner, now is the right time to start thinking about a strategy for recruiting and hiring seasonal labor employees.

Below are six strategies for recruiting seasonal employees before you hit your peak season.

1. Plan ahead & start the hiring process early

Hiring the right employee can be a lengthy process. It can take longer than you might think to fill an open position—even a temporary or seasonal role. With the possibility of a long hiring timeline in mind, it’s vital to start early and not put off getting your recruitment strategy in place. You don’t want to find yourself short-staffed during the time you need the support the most. We suggest looking for employees for your seasonal jobs at least two to three months before you want to fill the role.

2. Use seasonal keywords in your job postings

In your job postings, it’s important to use keywords that indicate a position is seasonal or temporary so those searching for these specific types of opportunities can easily find your specific job postings. These keywords should include “seasonal labor” or ” temporary employment” and job titles should follow a similar structure with employment start and end dates highlighted. A compelling, transparent and clear job description will help you make a successful seasonal hire.

3. Only hire candidates interested in seasonal labor

This may sound like a no-brainer, but focus your recruiting on people who want a seasonal job or are interested in only temporary labor. Someone might take a seasonal job even though they’d prefer a permanent position, but if they get a different job offer during your seasonal period, they’ll likely leave and you’ll be short-staffed. To help avoid this turnover, rank potential hires and prioritize those who prefer the temporary nature of seasonal work compared to a longer-term commitment.

4. Offer flexible schedules

Seasonal hiring typically includes extended shifts and often appeals to workers who seek seasonal jobs as a second source of income. That’s why it’s crucial to increase shift flexibility for your employees. If you know that most of your new, seasonal workers have day jobs, consider starting their shifts later in the evening to allow them time for dinner. By offering flexibility and advertising shift flexibility in your job description, you’ll increase your chances of finding seasonal employees.

5. Pay competitively & pay more for less popular shifts

Are you open for extended hours for the holidays? Are you open late on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve? Consider offering higher pay for the less popular shifts to ensure they get filled. The competitive nature of compensation applies to both full-time and seasonal labor, but if you’re only looking to pay minimum wage for seasonal workers, you may lose out to others offering higher wages and added incentives. Competitive pay can significantly attract top talent and prevent turnover. Make sure you keep an eye on industry-standard wages, then meet or exceed that number.

6. Hire for retention by selecting candidates who will likely return next season

Hiring a brand-new force of employees during every busy season can be inefficient over time. If you’re able to vet potential employees by prioritizing those most likely to return for another season, do it. You’ll streamline the process of recruiting seasonal employees the following year and increase the predictability of your planning. It’s also a good idea to retain employees who get accustomed to your company culture, making these candidates your first choice when this time comes around again next year. You’ll streamline your hiring for the next holiday season and focus on recruiting more high-quality candidates.

7. Use a staffing platform

Although seasonal hiring generally happens on a faster timeline than traditional hiring, it should still be a smooth experience for your candidates. Implementing an all-in-one staffing platform can help you streamline your hiring efforts without a lot of added effort. If your business needs more workers than what a traditional staffing agency can provide, and you don’t have the time to hire on your own or you have a very short timeframe to hire and need seasonal labor fast, Jobble can help. Schedule a demo to get started with Jobble today.