Small Businesses ramp-up sooner for holiday hiring

Potential holiday hires should find good opportunities this year at small companies starting immediately, says StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journalís guide for entrepreneurs. Many small businesses that cater to the retail market are ramping-up for the holiday season by hiring more people and hiring them earlier this year.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), total holiday retail sales are expected to increase 5% over last year, bringing holiday spending to $435.3 billion. Nearly one-fifth (19.9%) of retail-industry sales occurs during the holiday season, making it the most important selling time period of the year for the industry. For small retail businesses, this time of year can make or break their bottom line.

ìMost small companies aim to have seasonal employees in place by the weekend before Thanksgiving, or at least by Nov. 30,î says Tony Lee, publisher, StartupJournal.com. ìSmall-business owners realize that to succeed through the holidays, they need to have a solid team in place for this most profitable time of the year.î

StartupJournal.com offers these tips to small-business owners on hiring dependable help:

Begin advertising for open positions right away.

Use the same interview process for temporary employees as you do for permanent ones.

Ask if employees have a basic knowledge of, and interest in, the business. Donít simply look for available bodies.

Conduct reference checks to make sure new hires have a track record that references can confirm.

Take time to train temporary employees and pay them to begin training early.

Hire workers who make a commitment to stay through the holidays.

ìIf you pay competitive wages, give a bonus for sales or for staying until the end of the season, and offer temporary employees a discount, these will serve as incentives for them to work through the holiday season and beyond,î Mr. Lee says.

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