6 Reasons Holiday Hiring Will Be a Tougher Battle This Year (And How You Can Win It)

The holiday season is traditionally a time of cheer, but for many businesses, it also signals the start of a frenzied hiring spree. This year, however, the familiar rush to fill seasonal roles is expected to be even more intense. A perfect storm of economic and labor market factors is converging to create a challenging environment for holiday hiring.

A Perfect Storm for Hiring Challenges

1. The Persistent Labor Shortage: The overall job market continues to be a tightrope walk for employers. Across industries, there's a persistent shortage of workers, making it a daunting task to attract and retain talent, especially for seasonal positions.

2. The Wage War: To lure candidates in a competitive market, companies are compelled to offer higher wages. While necessary to attract top talent, increased labor costs can significantly impact profit margins, especially for businesses operating on thin holiday profit margins.

3. Economic Uncertainty Looms Large: Economic headwinds such as inflation and the specter of a recession are casting a shadow over consumer spending. Uncertain economic conditions can lead to cautious business planning and, consequently, a more conservative approach to holiday hiring.

4. Supply Chain Snafus Continue: The lingering effects of supply chain disruptions are still being felt. Product shortages and delays can impact sales forecasts and staffing needs, making it difficult to predict the number of seasonal workers required accurately.

5. Increased Competition for Seasonal Talent: The holiday hiring frenzy is no longer confined to traditional retail. With more businesses relying on seasonal workers, the competition for available talent has intensified, making it harder to secure top candidates.

6. The Changing Workforce: Modern workers prioritize work-life balance and flexible schedules more than ever. These evolving expectations can make it challenging to fill seasonal roles that often demand long hours and rigid shifts.

Securing top talent for seasonal positions requires a strategic approach. Here are some effective strategies to attract and retain seasonal workers:

Flexibility is Key

• Offer Flexible Scheduling: Accommodate workers' schedules by providing options like part-time hours, shift swaps, or flexible start and end times. This demonstrates your commitment to work-life balance.
• Highlight Shift Differentials: Offer premium pay for less desirable shifts to incentivize coverage during peak hours.

Leverage Your Network

• Employee Referral Programs: Tap into your employees' networks by offering incentives for successful referrals.
• Rehire Past Seasonal Workers: Reach out to former employees who performed well. They are already familiar with your business and require less training.

Create an Attractive Workplace

• Emphasize a Positive Culture: Highlight your company's values, team spirit, and growth opportunities.
• Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits: While seasonal positions are temporary, providing competitive wages and benefits can attract top talent. Consider offering discounts on products or services, paid time off, or access to employee assistance programs.

Target Your Recruitment Efforts

• Utilize Social Media: Engage with potential candidates on platforms where they spend their time. Use relevant hashtags and visually appealing content to attract attention.
• Partner with Local Schools and Colleges: Collaborate with educational institutions to tap into student populations seeking part-time work.
• Attend Job Fairs: Increase your visibility by participating in job fairs targeting your desired candidate pool.

By implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of finding and retaining qualified seasonal workers to support your business during the busy holiday season.

Overcoming the Holiday Hiring Hurdle

To navigate these formidable challenges, businesses must adopt a strategic approach to holiday hiring. Implementing an applicant tracking system (ATS) specifically designed for hourly workers can be a game-changer. By automating time-consuming tasks, accelerating the hiring process, and enhancing the candidate experience, an ATS can help you secure the talent needed to drive holiday success.

Key benefits of an ATS include:

• Efficiency: Automating tasks, like job posting, applicant screening, and scheduling saves valuable time and resources.
• Speed: A streamlined hiring process reduces time-to-hire, ensuring you can quickly fill critical seasonal positions.
• Candidate Experience: A well-designed ATS provides a positive candidate experience, increasing your chances of attracting and retaining top talent.

Investing in a robust ATS is not just an expense; it's an investment in your business's future. By equipping yourself with the right tools, you can weather the holiday hiring storm and emerge victorious.

Are you ready to tackle the challenges of holiday hiring head-on? An ATS can be your secret weapon.