When it comes to summer hiring, candidates can be difficult to find, especially for entry-level or temporary positions. So how can you create a strategy for hiring over the summer months that won’t leave you short on talent?

While most people look forward to summer, it can be a nightmare for staffing firms with positions to fill. Vacations, time off requests, and a few federal holidays make summer the worst time for workforce scheduling.

Seasonal Staffing

Historic level shortages in summer help are impacting much of Minnesota's tourist sector, reports the Star Tribune. Resorts in particular are doing everything to attract help this summer, but are struggling to fill jobs. People who travel to MN, mostly for leisure, have increased 10.8% since 2013, accounting for 71.2 million visitors this year. And it's not just in the midwest. Many seasonal employers have resorted to raising hourly wages, offering perks and benefits, and using outside firms to help find employees to support tourism.

Seasonal Jobs...or Gigs?

Your lakeside vacation might be a downer if you can’t swim because there are no lifeguards available. Your lifeguard from last year is driving for Uber this summer. Quality of service is expected to decline because of the seasonal employee shortage, and many resorts are already feeling the pinch. The gig economy has what they can’t offer: Flexibility, higher pay, and in some cases, benefits. What CAN you do?

Think about your seasonal job as a gig. You’re not Lyft or Uber, but reach out to job boards that specialize in short-term and flexible employment. Write your job description targeting for a talent marketplace for people actively searching for seasonal employment, which also includes gigs. 

Workforce Optimization

On NoJitter.com, Richard Correia, director of product marketing and workforce optimization (WFO) at Nice Systems, says that adaptive WFO will help put enough of the right people in their seats when you need them the most. It helps scheduling managers (particularly for companies with call centers) ensure that shifts are covered, with backups.