What Should Retailers Consider When Hiring Seasonal Workers?

Seasonal employees are a vital component of many retail businesses that struggle to meet temporary upticks in operational demand, if the normal staff is ill-equipped to handle the increased workload.

Seasonal or temporary hiring, as such, should be approached with a few considerations in mind. First and foremost, let there be no discrepancies about the duration of the employment opportunity being offered. In many cases, short-term employment will be the mutual desire of the candidate and company.

Next, understand that because of the nature of the employment, you may lower your hiring standards to a level that allows for faster hiring from a wider pool of applicants, while still being scrutinizing. The main benefit of altering your hiring approach for seasonal or temporary employees is that, once the increased workload demands have been met, you are left with the option of terminating or continuing the employment. If you choose the former, the employee should not have any misconceptions about the circumstances surrounding the decision.

Hear Brent Holland, Executive Vice President at FurstPerson, discuss what retailers should consider when hiring for seasonal workers in the final part of a six-part video series.

If you missed previous discussions you can read or watch them by following the links below:

Part 1: What makes retail hiring unique compared to other industries? Watch.

Part 2: Why should retailers invest in hiring the best employees? Watch.

Part 3: Mistakes in retail hiring. Watch.

Part 4: Suggestions to solve retail hiring challenges. Watch.

Part 5: How to hire for the right employee instead of one just looking for a job. Watch.