# Hiring Seasonal Workers: A Beginner’s Guide to Finding and Engaging Temporary Employees
## Introduction
With the unemployment rate remaining low throughout the country, small business owners continue to grapple with the labor shortage, making it especially difficult to find and hire employees. And if your business experiences seasonal ebbs and flows, attracting employees interested in temporary or seasonal work is even more challenging. In this beginner’s guide, we will discuss strategies and tips to help you effectively hire and engage seasonal workers for your business.
## Using Technology to Streamline the Hiring Process
When it comes to hiring seasonal talent, small business owners can leverage technology to make the process easier. Here are some ways you can utilize technology to attract the right candidates:
1. Implement Chatbots: Many seasonal jobs have unconventional titles, making it confusing for candidates to search for them. By using chatbots on your jobs page, you can help candidates search for positions based on their skills. A smart chatbot with natural language processing capability can search for roles based on required skills, alleviating the burden on candidates to search for specific job titles.
2. Ensure User-Friendly Experience: Chatbots should have human-like conversations and provide effective responses without frustrating job seekers. Natural language processing capabilities can help chatbots understand and respond to candidates’ queries without the need for specific language inputs.
## Identifying the Right Seasonal Talent
When looking to hire seasonal workers, it’s essential to focus on transferable skills rather than specific experience. Here’s how you can identify the right talent for your seasonal positions:
1. Assess Potential: Assessments are a great way to evaluate candidates’ potential and identify the skills that better predict success. Consider implementing standardized assessments or game-based assessments to assess candidates’ capabilities accurately.
2. Focus on Transferable Skills: Look for candidates who show potential and possess transferable skills, even if they don’t have specific experience in your industry. Transferable skills, such as excellent communication or problem-solving abilities, can make a candidate a valuable addition to your seasonal workforce.
## Timely Hiring: When to Begin the Hiring Process
To ensure a smooth hiring process, it’s crucial to start early and plan for your peak seasons. Here are some guidelines for when to begin the hiring process for summer jobs or the holidays:
1. Summer Hiring: For summer positions, significant interview ramp-up typically happens from April to June. By starting early, you can attract a broader range of candidates and have ample time for selection.
2. Holiday Hiring: Hiring for holiday positions starts to pick up speed in September and October. Ensure continuous outreach and ongoing communication to maintain a deep candidate pool for hiring during peak seasons.
## Harnessing the Power of Internships
Interns can play a crucial role in filling seasonal positions. Here’s why you should consider utilizing interns for your business:
1. Recruitment Potential: A survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that over half of eligible interns become full-time employees with their internship provider. Offering internships can be an effective way to recruit students who are likely to stay with your company after graduation.
2. Building Connections: Internships allow students to gain insight into your business and develop strong connections with their coworkers. This investment in your company encourages them to accept job offers, as they already feel connected and invested in your organization.
3. Creating Brand Awareness: Offering internships gives your company exposure to students actively seeking valuable work experiences during college. Companies that provide internships are more likely to be remembered and considered by these students when they enter the job market.
## Engaging and Retaining Seasonal Workers
Engaging seasonal workers between seasons can help you build a qualified candidate base year-round. Here are some strategies to keep them connected and interested:
1. Effective Communication: Engaging with candidates via text has proven to be their preferred method. Keep previous employees informed about hiring needs and business updates throughout the year. This establishes a relationship beyond last-minute hiring requirements.
2. Offer Incentives and Opportunities: Show appreciation for your seasonal workers by offering incentives such as bonuses or opportunities for professional growth. Recognize their contributions and provide them with a sense of belonging within your organization.
3. Maintain Flexible Scheduling: Seasonal workers often value flexibility in scheduling. Accommodate their needs as much as possible to create a positive work environment and retain their loyalty.
In conclusion, hiring seasonal workers can be a challenging process, but with the right strategies and technology, it becomes more manageable. By utilizing technology, focusing on transferable skills, starting the hiring process early, leveraging internships, and maintaining engagement between seasons, you can find and retain qualified seasonal employees for your small business.
