Hiring for seasonal needs makes sense for companies both large and small. Whether you’re gearing up for year-end close or peak sales season, extra help can improve morale and give your core staff a boost when they need it most.
Here are three reasons hiring contractors for seasonal work makes sense for almost any company.
#1: Audition for Permanent Placement
Not only will you lessen the stress on your core staff, but you can audition workers for permanent jobs after the rush ends. Hiring for short term work is a great way to get to know a candidate and see if they’re a fit for your team. It’s especially informative to see them in action when the workload is at its most demanding.
This period of trial by fire is a quick way to reveal character, energy, and motivation. You’ll also have the advantage of being able to say “We’d like you to stay on; it gets much easier from here.”
#2: Maintain Relationships
You can maintain relationships and take advantage of experienced part-timers and boomerang employees. You may have workers who have left the company on good terms and who don’t want to return full time. But they may be open to seasonal work – and they may be your best assets. They require less training, they already understand the team and company culture, and they can be leaders and mentors for new workers.
Samantha Snyder, Business Development Manager of CSI Professional, states “Hiring is expensive, but hiring the wrong talent costs your team a lot more than money. Bringing candidates in for project based/contract work allows both the employer & the candidate an opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ and be sure it’s a long term fit for both parties.”
The workers, many of whom are baby boomers, get the best of both worlds; they do work they understand and use skills they’ve mastered, and they get a few months each year to travel, spend time with family or on hobbies or other gigs.
#3: Free Up Time for Complex Projects
Your team can tackle special projects without losing ground on daily tasks. Hiring contractors to take on the routine work can free up your best staff to work on special projects without getting burned out. Take some time early in the year to use principles of job carving, a form of job analysis that identifies tasks that can be performed by another worker with minimal training.
For example, filing data entry or other administrative tasks could be performed by contractors with minimal training and oversight, freeing up your experienced staffer to take on complex projects. You’ll be using your resources more efficiently, and your staff will be able to focus on the challenging work without feeling overwhelmed.
“Some of the most successful candidates we see work on project-based/seasonal work are recent ‘stay-at-home’ parents or retirees looking to add extra income before the holiday season, or gain experience before fully entering back into the workforce,” says Snyder. All of these advantages rely on thoughtful onboarding for success. Make sure you’ve invested enough time in training so your contract staff has the skills and confidence they need to perform under pressure.
