Top 6 Holiday Hiring Tips for Small Businesses

Finding the right people to do a job is not always easy. And holiday hiring can be a little harder because it usually happens in a hurry.

Experts advise against a harried approach to holiday hiring, however. There are some things you can do to ensure that you get the right people for the job and that means thinking ahead. Here is what a few human resources experts recommended on Monster to ensure effective hiring for the holiday season.

Short Gig, Long View

Just because seasonal work is short-term does not mean that you can stint on a hiring strategy. Make your search for holiday workers easier by taking the time in advance to research what others are paying for similar services. Know your market.

Compile a list of benefits or advantages you offer short-term workers. Is there a discount on products that you can offer? Your recruiting strategy should be just as eye-catching and upbeat as your hiring strategy for year-round workers, Dionne Minner, a senior area manager for Kelly Services in Troy, Michigan, told Monster.

Keep Terms Clear

That said, when you speak to prospective workers, make sure you are clear about the terms of the position. Frame questions in such a way that there can be no doubt that the job is temporary, all while keeping in mind that employment is a relationship and that employers too must make themselves attractive.

Ask about long-term goals even though it is a temporary position. Learn a little about the candidate, as they can be a prospective customer or even a permanent employee someday. Create good will even in people you do not plan to hire, as you never know what will be next year.

Phone Screens and Stress Tests

Save some time by screening candidates in advance. Talk briefly to people over the phone to eliminate those who clearly cannot fill the role. If, for example, you need a friendly holiday gift wrapper and your candidate has a surly communication style, you will be able to establish that with a brief chat.

Ask prospective candidates about their familiarity with specific required skills, of course. But don't forget to talk about stress. The holidays are hectic and you need people who can keep cool under pressure. After all, extra pressure is why you are hiring for the holiday season.

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Related Resources:

• Find a Lawyer (FindLaw Directory)
• Checklist for Opening a Holiday Pop-Up Shop (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• Part-Time, Temporary, and Seasonal Employees (FindLaw)