For many businesses, summer is peak season. Do you find yourself needing support staff in the busy summer months? It seems like a long way off, but it’s not too early to start hiring. Selecting the suitable candidates, integrating them into your crew, and sufficient training takes several months, so it’s best to start the process now while you still have time.

If you’ve experienced the benefit of extra help during peak season, you already know it’s a relief to have extra hands on deck. However, if you’ve never hired support staff, here are some reasons to consider it:

  •  Big relief: Temporary, seasonal staff lightens the workload for your full-time team members. As a result, it prevents burn-out while boosting morale and helping you meet customer demand.
  •  Big potential: Seasonal work is a great trial run. If a temporary employee proves a fantastic fit, you can make them a permanent team member with confidence in their long-term success.
  •  Low risk: Hiring involves a lot of time and money, and there’s always the chance a new hire won’t work out. But seasonal support staff is only there for a short time, so the risk factor is low.
  •  Low cost: Hiring part-time, temporary employees costs less than hiring permanent, full-time employees. Their salaries are lower, and the benefits packages are minimal-to-none as well.

Finding Support Staff 

When recruiting, it’s essential to target people who want to be seasonal support staff. Usually, your ideal candidate includes:

  • College students who are home on break.
  • Retired people who want to start working again.
  • Stay-at-home parents who want to work minimal hours.

Another great option is to look back at last year. Who did you hire during the previous peak season? They’re a great place to start! In addition, revisit previous, qualified applications. Maybe there’s a candidate who didn’t quite fit an open position, but you know they’d be an excellent choice for the summer.

Consider tapping into the sphere closest to you. For example, your employees all have friends and family that may be just what you’re seeking. Perhaps, implementing an employee referral program would be a good strategy.

Posting jobs on niche job boards, colleges and trade schools is also an excellent option for finding seasonal support staff.

Part-time, seasonal candidates are everywhere — you just need to know where to look.

Attracting Support Staff

You know where to look, but how do you attract candidates to apply? It isn’t any different than how you attract permanent team members. You can use the same action plan!

  • Make sure your employer brand is top-notch and appealing. Would you want to work for you?
  • Use social media, employee testimonials and videos, and printed branding to convey the culture and values of your company.
  • Post clear job descriptions with appropriate and relevant keywords.
  • Treat them like they’re a customer — they choose where to work, just as a customer decides where to shop. Give them world-class candidate service!
  • Offer competitive pay and benefits.
  • Be flexible with hours and scheduling.

Another way to find and attract temporary, seasonal help is to partner with a staffing agency like us! At Gillmann Services Inc., we connect you with the best talent in your industry. So call us today, and let’s get started!