HOLIDAY HIRING-KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MERRY & BRIGHT (AND STAFFED)

The holidays are a magical time – full of cheer, shopping, and peppermint mochas.  But for small businesses, this season can also bring stress, scheduling headaches, and the annual scramble to find extra help.  Whether you’re a retail shop preparing for crowds, a restaurant managing parties, or a service business juggling end-of-year projects, smart holiday hiring can make the season a lot smoother.

Here are a few HR tips to help your business stay running like Santa’s workshop:

1.        Start Early (Yes, Like Yesterday) – Competition for seasonal workers is fierce, especially with big-box stores and online retailers starting their hiring early.  The earlier you post your openings, the better your chances of finding reliable people.  Even if you only need help for a few weeks, make it clear in your job postings what the timeline and hours look like – transparency saves everyone a headache later.

2.        Simplify the Hiring Process – This isn’t the time for three rounds of interviews and a personality quiz.  Streamline where you can: short applications, quick interviews, and fast decisions.  Look for people with strong customer service skills and flexible schedules – experience is great, but attitude is everything during the holiday rush. 

3.        Train for Success (and Sanity) – Even if your seasonal employees are only with you for a short time, invest a little effort in training them well.  A solid orientation helps prevent confusion and burnout – for both your new hires and your regular staff.  Pair new hires with a mentor or “holiday buddy” to answer questions and keep morale high.

4.        Keep your Regular Team Happy Too – Your core employee are the backbone of your business year-round, and the holidays can test their patience (and caffeine limits).  Show appreciation, offer flexible scheduling when possible, and don’t forget to say thank you – a little gratitude goes a long way.

5.        Plan Ahead for January – Once the last ornament comes down, you might be tempted to breathe a sigh of relief – but take a few minutes to reflect.  What worked well this season? Who stood out? Keeping notes now will make next year’s hiring process even easier.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be chaotic.  With a little planning and a lot of communication, you can keep your business running smoothly and your customers – and employees – feeling that holiday cheer.

At Optimal HR Solutions, we help small businesses prepare for the busy season by streamlining hiring processes, developing clear onboarding plans, and creating policies that make managing seasonal staff a breeze.  Whether you need help writing job postings, interviewing candidates, or setting up schedules that work for everyone, we can make sure your HR systems support your success – not your stress.

Here’s to a productive, profitable, and joy-filled holiday season for you and your team!!

JenniferBarry@optimalhrsolutions.org                                                www.optimalhrsolutions.org