Seasonal Hiring Trends for 2023

For many businesses, the Q4 and holiday season are one of the busiest times of the year; thus hiring seasonal workers is imperative to meet increased demand. With the holiday season fast approaching, recruiters and staffing agencies should start planning for seasonal recruitment now.

This is also the time of year when expenses inevitably go up—resulting in many people looking for seasonal gigs. But this year, finding seasonal work may be more challenging, as hiring is expected to be lower than in past years and as companies use temp agencies to maximize operating efficiencies.

According to a September analysis by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago-based outplacement firm, some employers may pull back on their typical holiday hiring sprees in anticipation of softer sales. The report went on to show that less spending and increased labor costs could result in the lowest number of seasonal workers in the U.S. this year since 2008.

Today we share three seasonal recruitment trends to watch for in 2023, recommendations for hiring seasonal workers, tips for seasonal job seekers, and the benefits of temporary and seasonal staffing.

Three Seasonal Recruitment Trends

There are several seasonal recruitment trends to be on the lookout for in 2023, including earlier hiring start dates, more flexible hiring practices, and an increased focus on diversity and inclusion.

Earlier hiring start dates

This year, many companies started hiring seasonal workers ahead of the holiday rush—to ensure they had enough staff in place to handle the incoming demand – especially in the logistics and manufacturing sectors. Reuters reports that UPS is slated to hire over 100,000 seasonal workers since the fourth quarter is where they historically have seen the most revenue.

More flexible hiring practices

Seasonal staffing is no longer limited to just “in-person” jobs. Holiday hiring now includes remote work opportunities, more flexible schedules, and higher wages. On the tail of COVID-19, businesses have become more flexible in their hiring practices, so they can both attract and retain seasonal workers.

Increased focus on diversity and inclusion

During the holiday season and year-round, many employers are now making more of a concerted effort to hire a diverse and inclusive workforce. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) recruitment includes hiring people from different backgrounds, races, genders, and candidates with disabilities. Seasonal hiring also provides the opportunity to hire veterans who bring a diverse set of skills, experience, and capabilities.

Recommendations for Hiring Seasonal Workers

The following are five key recommendations for recruiters and businesses with seasonal jobs this year:

Plan early: The earlier you start forecasting and planning, the more time you’ll have to recruit and hire top-notch seasonal workers.
Employ flexible hiring practices: To remain competitive and attract the best talent, you must be willing to offer remote work opportunities, flexible schedules, attendance bonuses, and higher wages. The hiring process should also be less intense than when hiring for a full-time employee.
Focus on diversity and inclusion: Make an effort to recruit and hire a well-rounded diverse and inclusive workforce.
Promote online: Be sure to promote your seasonal job opportunities on your social media channels, your website, and all applicable or industry-specific job sites. You may also want to post on local college and university job boards, as students are often seeking temporary work when home for the holidays.
Conduct careful screening: Even though you’re hiring for seasonal positions, it’s still important to conduct thorough interview screens to ensure that the candidate is right-fit for the company culture. Moreover, you never know when a temporary job could evolve into a full-time position.

Tips for Seasonal Job Seekers

If you’re seeking a temporary jobs this holiday season, keep in mind that a seasonal job could lead to a permanent opportunity. Even though the job may be limited to just a few weeks or a month, it’s still important to put your best foot forward. This is a great opportunity for you to learn as much as possible about an organization and to network because you never know what the future may hold!

Benefits of Temporary and Seasonal Staffing

For recruiters and staffing agencies, there are countless benefits to hiring temporary and seasonal workers. Not only is temporary staffing cost-efficient, but it’s flexible, scalable, and has the potential to yield future hires.

In the past, seasonal staffing was equated with temporary workers whose employment would end after the holiday season. But, times have changed, and finding high-quality candidates is more challenging than in previous years. Many employers are now looking at the fourth quarter as a way to identify team members that they can keep on board in the upcoming year.

Many businesses are now looking at the holiday season as a trial period for employees, and those who perform well may be offered a permanent job.

If you’re seeking a temporary position in light industrial, manufacturing, or the skilled trades, be sure to visit us at Sure-Staff.com/Jobs today!

About the Author

Kim is a seasoned content marketing professional with over twelve years of corporate communications experience. Her “sweet spot” is with creative writing both short and long-form. She has a proven track record working with IBM, Jackson Healthcare, and Walt Disney World, among others. Kim is a singer and actress and has been performing on stage and screen her entire life and has a great passion for TV and film production. Connect with Kim on LinkedIn.