Managing Seasonal Hiring: Why Gen Z are Taking on Multiple Jobs

Businesses – especially in the retail sector – have geared up for the festive season by taking on extra staff, and the demand for this kind of work is being additionally fueled by the cost of living crisis and increases in housing and rental prices.

This year there’s a particularly noticeable surge in seasonal job searches, which are 1.4 times higher than last year.

Industries seeing a seasonal boost

Although seasonal work is not confined to the period November through February, it’s certainly the top season for casual and temporary holiday jobs in Australia, where Christmas and New Year coincide with the height of summer, long school and university holidays and peak tourism.

The following industries can expect to see a surge in seasonal job applications:

• Retail: Bricks-and-mortar stores need extra staff to work at sales points, checkouts and help desks, as well as ensure that shelves and displays are fully stocked. At the same time, the surge in online shopping that begins well before Black Friday and continues through New Year sales, requires extra hands in warehouse goods receiving, inventory control, picking, despatch and delivery.
• Tourism: December to February is Australia’s high season for tourism, for both international visitors and local holidaymakers. As a result, accommodation and restaurant hospitality businesses, as well as entertainment providers, need more employees in this period. This short-term demand is best served by temporary or casual staff who can be stood down or given reduced hours when the high season ends.
• Outdoor activities: Beaches and pools need more lifeguards in the summertime. Other summer outdoor activities and events need extra staff on hand, to fill roles like tour guides, park rangers, children’s holiday camp carers and sports coaches.
• Delivery and ridesharing: With the influx of tourists, this season also sees a boom in temporary roles for food delivery and ride sharing apps. Many workers enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of working for grocery or food delivery services, and ridesharing apps like Uber also provide an easy way to make extra cash.

Why Gen Zers are taking on seasonal jobs?

Businesses looking for temporary summer staff should find they have a larger talent pool to choose from this year, since a record number of Gen Z Australians are finding that they need to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet in the face of rising prices. Add to this the extra expenses most people incur at this time of year, and it’s no surprise that cost of living pressures are a contributing factor fueling the increased interest in Christmas employment.

In fact, the global Deloitte 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey says that 46% of Gen Zers are polyworking. Meaning, they have taken on either a part- or full-time paying job in addition to their main employment. The ABC reports that around 194,000 15-24-year olds are working more than one job, the highest number ever. And while they are earning money, they are also developing important skills that will fill out their resumes and help them in their future job searches.

Making the most of seasonal workers

Having a larger than normal talent pool to choose from doesn’t mean that you will automatically secure the best candidates. You can improve the hiring process by using optimised job descriptions, getting an early start on your seasonal jobs plan, and making sure that your temporary staff can hit the ground running.

Write a clear job description for seasonal workers

A compelling, clear job description helps make a successful hire. An appealing and effective job posting will include the following information.

• Relevant keywords such as ‘seasonal’ or ‘temporary’, so that there is no misunderstanding
• Exact position available, including job title, responsibilities and required skills
• A focus on the benefits of the role, including (if applicable) desirable location, staff perks, and any possibility that may exist for repeat hiring next year or a transition to a permanent casual role

Start hiring seasonal employees early and onboard quickly

Lots of businesses need summer jobs staff, but there are steps you can take to put yourself ahead of the field.

• Start as early as possible. As soon as you know what your hiring needs are, start the search and review as many applications as possible.
• Include relevant interview questions. Ask about any time commitments or restrictions that may affect scheduling.
• Give weight to those looking to return. Prioritising candidates who look for holiday jobs every summer can mean an easier search next time.
• Offer specific job training. Thorough job preparation will reduce issues and help keep your seasonal staff engaged. Skill acquisition will make the role more appealing.

Potential challenges and things to consider

Temporary and casual holiday workers come with their own set of challenges you’ll need to provide for.

• Maintaining mental health. Given that many Gen Z seasonal workers will be juggling multiple jobs, they may be more susceptible to burnout and stress. The Government has published a guide, Working Together: Promoting mental health and wellbeing at work, containing useful tips and resources.
• Employers should review their insurance cover to ensure adequate protection for workplace accidents or injuries involving seasonal workers.
• Cultural fit. Consider whether seasonal workers fit into the company culture and will work well with full-time employees.
• Keep in mind the influx of Gen Z tourists on working-holiday visas who make up a large portion of seasonal workers looking for holiday jobs in Australia during the summer. Make sure they have the correct type of Australian Working Holiday Visa.
• Clear communication is essential for managing seasonal staff effectively. Establishing communication protocols, such as regular check-ins or status updates, can help prevent misunderstandings or miscommunications.
• Seasonal staffing needs may fluctuate unexpectedly, requiring employers to be flexible in scheduling and staffing arrangements. Ensure you have several ways (e.g. phone, email, Messenger, WhatsApp) to contact your temporary and casual workers in case you need them urgently.

Retailers, tourism and outdoor activity operators looking for seasonal staff will find more than the usual number of cash-strapped Gen Zers interested in polyworking this year. They can make the most of these temporary employees by using clear job descriptions, recruiting early, onboarding quickly, and staying on top of the specific challenges that they bring.

Adecco has an extensive database of talented candidates for seasonal jobs and short-term assignments. Contact us today to be put in touch with one of our temporary recruitment specialists for a fast and efficient solution for your needs.