The holidays are a time when many businesses see an increase in sales. In fact, in 2022, US holiday sales are expected to reach $1.3 trillion, a 3.3% increase over 2021. This is often due to the influx of customers who are looking for last-minute gifts or special deals. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the holiday rush, it’s important to make sure that you spend time holiday recruiting to ensure that you have enough staff to meet the demand.
So, how do you make sure you have enough holiday staff? In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for holiday recruiting and how to find the best candidates for your business!
Do I Need To Hire More Employees?
The holiday season is a busy time for many businesses. Orders pour in, and customers are eager to get their hands on the perfect gifts. In order to keep up with the demand, some businesses hire extra help around the holidays. But is this really necessary?
There are a few things to consider when making the decision to hire seasonal employees. First, think about the type of business you have. If you run a retail store, for example, you may need extra cashiers and stockers to keep up with customer traffic. On the other hand, if your business is primarily online, you may not need as many additional workers. Instead, you may just need to ensure that your existing employees are adequately trained to handle the increased workload.
Another factor to consider is the amount of work that needs to be done. If your business is expected to see a significant increase in sales or orders, it may be necessary to bring on extra staff. However, if the holiday rush is only slightly higher than usual, you may be able to handle it with your current team.
Ultimately, whether or not you need to hire additional employees for the holidays depends on your specific business needs. By taking the time to assess your situation, you can make the best decision for your company.
What Happens If I Overstaff?
Before hiring holiday help, it’s important to make sure that you really need the additional staff. Overstaffing can be just as detrimental to your business as understaffing. Here are a few consequences of overstaffing:
Employees Working Less Than Expected
If you hire more holiday staff than you need, your employees may end up working less than they normally would. You may find yourself cutting employees’ hours or even letting them go early on slow days. This can lead to unhappy employees and high turnover rates.
Lower Profits
In addition to reducing employee satisfaction, overstaffing can also lead to lower profits. If you’re paying employees for hours they don’t work, your holiday season may not be as profitable as you’d like.
Employees Who Are Unproductive
If your holiday staff is larger than necessary, you may end up with employees who are unproductive. With too many people on the clock, employees may find themselves twiddling their thumbs or getting in the way of those who are trying to get work done. This can lead to a decrease in morale and a decline in productivity.
What Happens If I Understaff?
While overstaffing can be detrimental to your business, understaffing can be even worse. Here are a few consequences of understaffing:
Subpar Service Experience
If you don’t have enough holiday staff, your customers may not receive the level of service they expect. This can lead to frustrated customers and a decline in sales. For example, if you don’t have enough cashiers on staff, customers may have to wait in long lines, which can lead to them leaving your store without making a purchase.
Reduction In Possible Sales
In addition to frustrating your customers, understaffing can also lead to a reduction in possible sales. If you don’t have enough employees on hand, you may not be able to keep up with customer demand. This can cause you to miss out on sales and leave money on the table. For example, if you don’t have enough stockers on staff, shelves may go empty, and customers may not be able to find the items they’re looking for.
Inefficient Business Practices
Understaffind during the holiday season may make you cut corners in order to get things done. This can lead to a decline in quality and efficiency. For example, if you don’t have enough drivers on staff, you may have to make multiple trips to deliver orders, which can use up valuable time and resources.
Unhappy Customers
Overall, understaffing can lead to unhappy customers. If your business is unable to meet customer expectations, they may take their business elsewhere. This can have a long-term impact on your bottom line and damage your reputation.
The Cost of Training New Employees
Whenever you bring on new employees, there is a cost associated with training them. This cost can be even higher during the holiday season when you’re trying to train employees quickly so they can be up and running as soon as possible. If you’re considering hiring holiday help, be sure to factor in the cost of training into your decision.
How To Recruit For The Holiday Season
After you’ve decided to hire holiday help, you’ll need to start recruiting. Here are a few tips to help you find the best holiday employees:
Start Holiday Staffing Planning Early
The holiday season can be a busy time for businesses, which means you’ll need to start your staffing planning early. Begin by assessing your holiday needs and creating a staffing plan. This will help you determine how many employees you need to hire and what types of positions you need to fill.
For example, if you own a retail store, you may need to hire additional cashiers, stockers, and sales associates. Once you’ve created your staffing plan, you can begin recruiting holiday employees and will have an accurate idea of the types of positions you need to fill.
Forecast Your Busiest Days
By looking at your previous year’s sales forecasts and customer traffic, you can get an idea of your busiest days during the holiday season. This will help you determine how many employees you need to have on staff during peak times.
For example, if you know that Saturdays are usually your busiest days, you’ll need to make sure during your holiday recruiting that you find enough employees on hand to handle the customer traffic. This will help you avoid long lines and keep your customers happy.
Get The Word Out About Your Openings
Once you’ve created your staffing plan and know the types of positions you need to fill, you’ll need to start getting the word out about your open positions. You can do this by posting job listings on your website or on job boards. You can also spread the word through social media or by placing ads in local newspapers.
Make sure to include all the relevant information in your job listings, such as the job title, duties, pay rate, and how to apply. This will help you attract qualified candidates and make it easier for them to apply for the position.
Ask For Referrals From Current Employees
One of the best ways to find qualified holiday employees is to ask for referrals from your current employees. They may know someone who is looking for a job or who would be a good fit for the position.
You can also offer incentives to employees who refer someone who ends up getting hired. For example, you could give them a bonus or an extra day off. This will help you attract high-quality candidates and show your appreciation to your employees.
Look For Flexible Employees
One of the best qualities to look for in holiday employees is flexibility. They should be able to work different shifts and be available on short notice. This will help you make sure you’re always fully staffed, even during last-minute holiday rushes.
You can find flexible employees by advertising that you’re looking for workers who are available for holiday shifts. You can also try contacting temp agencies or staffing companies. They may have employees who are available to work on a short-term basis.
Be Clear About Expectations From The Start
When you’re hiring holiday employees, it’s important to be clear about your expectations from the start. This will help them understand what is expected of them and avoid any misunderstandings.
Make sure to go over your company’s policies, such as dress code, attendance, and punctuality. You should also explain what type of work they’ll be doing and what the hours will be.
It’s also essential to determine if they’ll be temporary or permanent employees. If they’re only going to be working for a few weeks, let them know so they can make arrangements accordingly.
If you’re clear about your expectations from the start, you’ll be more likely to find employees who are a good fit for your company and who will do a great job during the holiday season.
Offer Incentives
Lastly, you can sweeten the pot by offering incentives to holiday employees. This will help you attract and retain high-quality workers.
Some ideas for incentives include holiday bonuses, gift cards, or extra paid time off. You could also offer a contest with prizes for the best-performing employees. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something your employees will actually want.
By offering incentives, you’ll show your holiday employees that you appreciate their hard work and that you’re willing to invest in them. This will help you build a strong team of workers who will be more likely to come back next year.
Conclusion
Holiday staffing can be a challenge, but by following these tips, you can find the employees you need to keep your business running smoothly. By being clear about your expectations, offering incentives, and looking for flexible workers, you’ll be able to find holiday employees who are a good fit for your company. So start planning ahead with your holiday recruiting and get ready for a successful holiday season full of happy customers and smooth operations.
If you’re looking to nail your holiday recruiting when it comes to salespeople on your team, become a client with Sales Recruiters Dallas or contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the top sales talent in Dallas. Our sales recruiters specialize in sales jobs in Dallas and the surrounding areas. We’ll work to understand your specific needs and help you find the best salespeople to grow your business. Don’t wait, reach out to us today!