Black Friday is approaching quickly, and many businesses are looking for seasonal workers to help them handle the influx of customers. As you look for help for your small business, follow tips below to get the best employees.
- Look for people who are satisfied with temporary work.
Some potential employees may not be willing to take on a job that is only temporary. Make sure that all potential employees understand the nature of the job and are okay with the idea of working for only a few days, weeks or months, depending on your company’s needs. To prevent hard feelings and other problems, give employees plenty of notice before laying them off for the season.
- Look for retail experience.
Although it may be tempting to simply hire anyone who applies for the job and is willing to start immediately, it is best to look for seasonal employees who have retail experience. Black Friday is a high-stress time for customers and retailers alike. Your employees need to be able to work quickly and accurately, handle high volumes of customers and deal with customers who may become frustrated or even belligerent when they have a problem with products or store policies.
- Hire employees with flexible schedules.
During Black Friday and the rest of the holiday shopping season, your store may keep different hours than it normally does. In addition, you are likely to need the most help from your staff right around holidays, on holidays and on weekends. When hiring seasonal employees, make sure the individuals you hire are willing to work whenever they are needed.
- Consider looking up previous seasonal employees.
If you had employees who were effective during past holiday seasons, consider reaching out to them to see if they want to work for you again this year. Not only do these individuals have a track record for success with your company, but they are also familiar with your store’s policies and procedures, so you won’t have to spend so much time with training and explanation before they can begin working.
- Develop a streamlined screening process.
When hiring seasonal employees, you need to be able to work quickly and efficiently to build the team you need. Develop a streamlined screening process that helps you process all of the applications you receive without expending too many resources.