Year-End Hiring and Staffing

By engaging in some year-end, holiday hiring, you’ll be more prepared to start the new year strong. Here are five tips to help you find the right candidates before the year ends.

Post Job Opportunities Early

Procrastination‚ as it happens. But by performing early outreach, you might save more than just time. Depending on the position and the number of people you’re planning to hire, the application review, interview, and hiring process can take several weeks. Post job openings before the holidays to get early access to a pool of candidates worth moving forward with.

Recruit on LinkedIn

If you’re active on LinkedIn, you probably noticed the #opentowork hashtag (and profile-icon background) circling around. After being laid off, many workers jumped on LinkedIn to update their profiles, resumes, and portfolios. So, if you’re ready to get moving on some holiday staffing, especially for selective positions, LinkedIn should be at the top of your list. If you’re a recruiter, you already know this!

Video Interview First

By now, we’re all pros at Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and the other tools we’ve relied on since going partially or fully remote. Video interviews allow you to engage a larger sample of candidates, with much more ease of scheduling. Given the challenges brought on by COVID-19, video interviewing is an essential piece of the holiday hiring puzzle.

Look for Flexible Candidates

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that employees must remain flexible in their roles and responsibilities. So, the next time you’re sifting through resumes, don’t immediately skip candidates with limited direct experience – especially if they have impressive, well-rounded indirect experience. Look for applicants who are open to tackling new frontiers, and who can solve problems from a unique perspective. Sure, you may not want to stray too far off the traditional path, but just remember to keep your peripheral view just a little wider this time around.

Ask Employees for Referrals

Who knows your business better than the employees who keep it moving forward? Involving your employees in the holiday hiring process showcases your trust in them and your dedication to team culture. Generally speaking, your employees will recommend candidates they believe will be a good fit. Afterall, their name will be attached to the referral.

Conclusion: Year-end Hiring and Staffing

Though it may feel like you’re jumping the gun, year-end presents a unique opportunity for staffers and recruiters. By accessing a large pool of candidates before your competitors have even started their hiring process, you’re sure to find some great employees. And with a fully staffed team ready to go, it will be easier to focus on the most important goals in front of you.