Hiring part time workers is a strategic option for any company that is looking for a way to save money. Some people used to think that when a company decides to hire a part time worker, it is trying to avoid the usual employee-employer relationship that comes with health insurance, bonus salaries, and other benefits. But in fact, hotels, restaurants, and retail shops hire part time workers to make sure that the business gets what it needs at the right time. Below, I’ll explain how to hire part time workers, as well as how to decide whether and how many you’ll need.
How to decide if you should hire part time workers
The very first step is to decide whether you should hire part time workers at all. For instance, most hotels have what they call “peak season” or the part of the year when people are most likely to crowd up. Peak seasons are usually during summer, spring break, and holidays. Restaurants also have their busiest times during lunch and dinner, while retail shops often get congested with shoppers during weekends. These are times when the business needs more people than what it usually has on normal times and days. These are the times when the business needs the assistance of several part time workers.
How to hire part time workers (8 steps)
Now, if your business falls under the categories mentioned above, you may need to hire part time workers. The question is, how do you do that? Hiring part time workers need not be as meticulous as hiring full time workers. However, a worker is still a worker. That is, he or she still needs the proper training, skills, and dedication to be a part of your business. Here are some helpful tips on how you can systematically hire part time workers for your hotel, restaurant, or retail business:
1. Determine your needs.
How many part time workers you should hire depends on what your business needs. How many part time workers can your budget handle? This is the part when you set your goals and plan ahead. If you’re not sure, you can use the sales per labor hour formula to estimate your needs.
2. Know who your prospects are.
For example, are you looking to hire students? Students often have the most flexible time, but they’ll be unavailable during midterms and finals. Other options you may have are retirees and mothers who are looking for extra cash for a few hours of work here and there.
3. Advertise your work.
Be sure to post job ads everywhere you can, including on social media. In your ad, indicate the nature of your business as well as what you are looking for in your workers. Put up your ads at least four weeks in advance at local supermarkets, schools (if you are okay with students working for you), and retirement associations. This amount of time should be enough to give proper training to part time workers prior to the peak season.
4. Read through the applicant’s resume.
Does the applicant have what it takes to cover an eight hour shift on Saturdays and Sundays based on his or her schedule? Does the potential holiday worker know the meaning of customer service? Finally, does he or she have prior experience in sales and marketing? Your applicant’s resume matters at this point, so scan it cautiously before you call them in for an interview.
5. Interview your applicants.
Most part time workers don’t have job experience related to your business. That’s because they’re students, retirees who worked for years in a different industry, or mothers who have never worked before but need some extra cash. However, this doesn’t mean that they are incapable. Ask your interviewees about their skills, if they are open to learning, and if they are willing to undergo training. Ask them for character references as well.
6. Check out their background.
Once you shortlist the applicants based on the interview, it’s now time to check their attitude towards work as well as their priorities as viewed by the people who know them. Make a brief background check of your prospects by speaking with the character references they provided to you.
7. Hire.
When you are done with this process, it’s time for you to make the choice on which part time workers to hire. Then, provide each newly hired with a description of their job, their salary (ask also if they can work under this salary) and benefits (if any), their schedule, and of course, a brief background about the business.
8. Train.
When you have finally hired the right person or persons to work on the busiest times of your business, you have the duty of training them. Teach them what they need to know, what they should do in every situation, what the company goals are, and how the company believes they can reach these goals.
