A peek inside: summer hiring tips and information about our upcoming Summer Job Fairs!
As the new year progresses, it’s time for many employers to begin looking ahead to the warmer months. Summertime means we can take our favourite hikes, enjoy a day on the lake, and of course, that we can expect increased tourism in the Bow Valley.
If you’re a business owner, it’s likely that you’ll be looking for some extra help to accommodate the summer crowds. Seasonal labourers can make your business run smoothly all summer long. But what are the steps that employers need to take before they’re able to turn their staffing dreams into a reality? If you’re interested in hiring seasonal help, these are a few steps to follow to ensure an organized hiring process and a stress-free summer.
Assess your needs. The first step on your seasonal hiring checklist should be to assess your staffing needs. It’s important to think about what roles will need to be filled, how many new staff will need to be hired, and if they’ll be full-time or part-time. You can even think about what roles could be combined or created – do you need a restaurant host, but also an occasional bartender? Do you need a tour guide who can also lend a hand in running the social media accounts? If you’re thinking about posting a more unique position in order to meet your business’s needs, you can always consult with our Employer Services Coordinator to help assess the best fit for your seasonal hiring needs!
Determine the number of staff needed in each position. This is where you narrow down your needs to specific positions. Think about how many staff members you will realistically be able to hire, and how many hours you can expect your anticipated seasonal team members to work. It’s important to consider allowances for sick days, vacation days, and other unexpected instances where staff could be reduced. You’ll want to ensure that you’ll have enough staff available to cover the needs of your business even if a few team members are sick, travelling, or otherwise unavailable. Whenever business needs allow, offering employees the flexibility to have time off in the summer even if the role is only seasonal might require the hiring of a few additional part-time team members at the start of the season, but offering employees this work/life balance can often strengthen recruitment, increase retention season after season and allow staff to come to work refreshed.
Write detailed job postings. It’s important for employers to write clear, informative, and engaging postings when advertising employment opportunities. You’ll want to quickly and effectively identify the type of work candidates will be doing, what the work environment is like, and if there are specific requirements or qualifications they’ll need to meet to be considered for the role. Job seekers will also be looking for key details such as if the work is full-time or part-time, the compensation level, and if staff accommodation is available. If you offer benefits like staff accommodation or flexible hours, it’s important to highlight these perks to catch the attention of potential candidates!
Spread the word. You’ll want to advertise your listing to relevant outlets in order to attract interested talent. Advertising online on your business’s website can help spread the word to applicants outside the Bow Valley who are looking to relocate. Social media posts also reach audiences who are already aware of your business.
A job board is also a great way to generate interest and get more eyes on your seasonal job posting. If you’ve never posted a job with the Job Resource Centre, now is a great time to try it out! Employers can sign up online through the Login/Signup tab on our website with just a few clicks. Once your employer profile is approved, you can start posting jobs on our job board and customize a start date for your seasonal position. Potential candidates will be able to access details about the position using our online and physical job boards, which is how we help connect employers with interested talent!
Register for our Summer Job Fairs. The Job Resource Centre is pleased to offer two Summer Job Fairs to help employers connect with candidates. They’ll be hosted on Thursday, March 26th at Banff Park Lodge and Friday, April 17th at the Malcolm Hotel. Prospective candidates seeking seasonal employment (and beyond) are invited to attend, and it’s a great way to meet with talent face-to-face as you start your hiring process!
If you’re interested in attending either of our Summer Job Fairs as an employer, you can connect with our Employer Services Coordinator to be added to the invite list. Once registration is open, spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. When you complete the formal registration form, you will be prompted to pick only one date, but you may choose to join a waitlist if you’d like your business to be present at both job fairs.
Don’t limit your options for the future. If you find that a seasonal employee is a great fit for your business, there are avenues for employers to shift seasonal work into a long-term connection. For more tips, you can visit our blog post to learn more about recruiting and retaining top talent in a resort town!
Written by Lauren Racela, an Employment Advisor at the Job Resource Centre. Lauren is a former teacher who is passionate about helping newcomers find their place in the Bow Valley.
