- Laurie Wherley
- September 28, 2023
The holiday season is often a busy time for businesses, with an increased demand for products and services. This necessitates the hiring of additional staff to meet the demand and ensure smooth operations. However, hiring for the holidays is not as straightforward as it may seem. The competition for top talent is fierce, and businesses often struggle to attract and retain the best candidates. In this blog article, we will discuss the challenges businesses face when hiring for the holidays, strategies for attracting top talent, and how to stand out in a competitive market.
Table of Contents
Challenges in holiday hiring
High demand for talent:
During the holiday season, there is a surge in demand for temporary staff across various industries. This creates a competitive market where businesses are vying for the same pool of candidates. Retailers, e-commerce businesses, and logistics providers, among others, all ramp up their hiring efforts to handle the increased workload. This surge in demand often leads to a shortage of qualified candidates, making it difficult for Businesses to fill their vacancies. Furthermore, the candidates who are available often receive multiple job offers, giving them the leverage to negotiate better compensation and benefits. This puts additional pressure on businesses to offer attractive packages to secure the talent they need.
Time constraints:
The holiday season is a busy time, and businesses often have a limited timeframe to hire, onboard, and train new staff. This can lead to rushed decisions and suboptimal hires. The urgency to fill positions quickly can lead to compromises in the screening and selection process, resulting in hires that may not be the best fit for the organization. Additionally, the limited timeframe also means that new hires have less time to get up to speed with their responsibilities, which can impact their productivity and the overall efficiency of the operations. Businesses may also face challenges in providing adequate training to new hires in such a short period, which can lead to mistakes and subpar performance.
Retention:
Temporary staff hired for the holidays may not have a long-term commitment to the business, leading to higher turnover rates. This can be particularly challenging for businesses that invest time and resources in training new hires. Many temporary workers view holiday jobs as a short-term opportunity to earn some extra money, without any intention of staying with the company long-term. This lack of commitment can lead to a lack of engagement and motivation, impacting their performance and the overall success of the company during this critical period. Additionally, the high turnover rates mean that businesses may find themselves understaffed again, having to go through the hiring process multiple times during the season. This not only increases the hiring costs but also impacts the overall efficiency and productivity of the operations.
Strategies for attracting talent
Build a strong employer brand:
A strong employer brand can help businesses stand out in a competitive market. Businesses should focus on building a positive reputation as an employer by treating employees well, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Additionally, they should also be proactive in showcasing their positive work culture on various platforms where potential employees are likely to see it, like their website, social media, or employer review sites like Glassdoor. Regularly engaging with employees, addressing their concerns, and promoting a healthy work-life balance can also contribute to a stronger employer brand.
Leverage employee referrals:
Employee referrals are a valuable source of candidates. Businesses can incentivize their current employees to refer suitable candidates for temporary positions. Not only do employees understand the culture and requirements of the business, but they are also likely to refer candidates who they believe will be a good fit. This can lead to higher quality hires, as current employees are unlikely to refer candidates who they don’t think will perform well. To encourage employee referrals, businesses can offer incentives such as cash bonuses, gift cards, or even extra days off for successful referrals.
Use multiple recruitment channels:
Businesses should leverage multiple recruitment channels, such as job boards, social media, and temporary recruitment agencies, to reach a broader audience and attract a diverse pool of candidates. Posting job listings on popular job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster can help reach a large number of active job seekers. Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram can help target passive candidates who may not be actively looking for a job but could be interested in the right opportunity. Temporary recruitment agencies can also help save time and resources by screening candidates and presenting only the most suitable ones for consideration. By using a combination of these channels, businesses can maximize their reach and increase their chances of finding the right candidates for their temporary positions.
Utilize temporary hiring platforms:
Temporary hiring platforms, like Jobble, are specialized online marketplaces that connect businesses with a large pool of vetted temporary workers. These platforms allow businesses to post job listings, review applications, and hire temporary staff quickly and efficiently.
Here are some key benefits of using temp hiring platforms:
- Speed and Efficiency: Temp hiring platforms streamline the hiring process by providing businesses with access to a large pool of pre-vetted candidates who are ready to work. This can be particularly valuable during the holiday season when the need for additional staff is urgent, and the time frame for hiring is limited.
- Flexibility: Temp hiring platforms allow businesses to hire staff on a flexible basis, whether it’s for a single shift, a week, or the entire holiday season. This flexibility can help businesses manage their staffing needs more effectively and respond to fluctuations in demand.
- Cost-Effective: Using temp hiring platforms can help businesses save on recruitment costs. There is no need to post job ads on multiple sites or spend time and resources on screening and interviewing candidates. The platform takes care of all these tasks, leaving businesses with more time and resources to focus on their core operations.
- Access to a Diverse Pool of Candidates: Temp hiring platforms provide access to a diverse pool of candidates with a wide range of skills and experiences. This can help businesses find the right candidates for their specific needs and create a more inclusive work environment.
To maximize the benefits of using temp hiring platforms, businesses should provide clear and detailed job descriptions, specify the skills and qualifications required, and offer competitive compensation and benefits. Additionally, businesses should take the time to review applications carefully and select the candidates that are the best fit for their organization and its culture.
For further insights on effective ways to recruit seasonal staff, check out our 7 Strategies for Recruiting Seasonal Employees blog.
Conclusion
Hiring for the holidays presents unique challenges for businesses, from the high demand for talent and time constraints to the issues with retention of temporary staff. However, with strategic planning and the right approach, businesses can overcome these challenges and secure the top talent they need to thrive during the holiday season. Building a strong employer brand, leveraging employee referrals, using multiple recruitment channels, and utilizing temporary hiring platforms are all effective strategies that can help businesses attract and retain the best candidates in a competitive market.
It’s important to remember that the holiday season is not just a busy time for businesses, but also for job seekers. Many people are looking for temporary work to earn extra money during the holidays, and businesses that offer competitive compensation, a positive work environment, and flexible work arrangements are more likely to attract top talent. By treating temporary staff well, providing adequate training, and offering opportunities for growth and development, businesses can also increase engagement and motivation, leading to better performance and lower turnover rates.
Interested in hiring temp staff to support your seasonal hiring needs? Schedule a demo with Jobble today and discover how our platform can streamline your hiring process, saving you time and resources while helping you find the best candidates for your business.
