The retail industry is one of the most competitive and demanding industries out there. With stores constantly vying for customers’ attention and dollars, it’s no wonder that so many store owners and managers find themselves understaffed and overworked.

If you’re in charge of hiring for a retail store that is understaffed, you know how challenging it can be to find quality employees who are willing to work the hours you need them to.

Top Tips for Recruiting Hourly Employees

You might be tempted to just post a sign in the window that says “Help Wanted” and hope for the best, but that’s not likely to attract the kind of high-quality candidates you’re looking for.

Instead, try these tips:

1. Make good use of recruiting services

You probably have never used recruiting services before, and if that’s the case,  you might not be aware of how helpful they can be in finding quality hourly employees.

Think about it – you spend too much time dealing with the day-to-day operations of your store to also be an expert in recruiting. With hourly recruiting services from HourWork, therefore,  you can focus on what you’re good at (running your store) while leaving the recruiting to the experts. 

2. Post job listings in multiple places

Don’t just rely on one job board or website to find candidates. Instead, post your listing in as many places as possible, including online job boards, classified ads, and community bulletin boards. You might even want to consider using a staffing agency to help you find candidates.

3. Be clear about the working hours and days

When you’re writing your job listing, be sure to include information about the hours and days you need employees to work. This will help to attract candidates who are looking for that type of schedule. You don’t want to waste your time interviewing candidates who are only available to work the hours you don’t need to be covered.

4. Offer incentives

Incentives can be a great way to attract employees to your understaffed store. Consider offering things like flexible scheduling, employee discounts, and extra pay for working weekends or holidays.

5. Hold open interviews

Open interviews are a great way to meet a lot of candidates in a short period of time. To hold an open interview, just set a day and time when anyone interested in the position can come in and fill out an application. Then, you can conduct brief interviews with all of the candidates at once.

6. Engage local community colleges and schools

Another great way to find candidates is to connect with local community colleges and schools. Many students are looking for part-time work to help pay for their education, and they may be willing to work the hours you need them to.

7. Referrals, the good ol’ referrals

Referrals can be a great way to find employees, so don’t forget to ask your current employees if they know anyone who might be interested in the position. You can even offer a referral bonus to employees who refer someone who ends up being hired.

8. Get creative with your recruiting methods

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to recruiting employees for an understaffed store. So, get creative and try different methods until you find what works best for you. Look in unlikely places, offer unique bonuses, and be willing to try something new.

Concluding Thoughts

Recruiting employees for an understaffed store can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By using the tips in this article, you’ll be sure to attract the best candidates for the job. And, with a little luck, you’ll find the perfect employees to help you get through this busy time.