The Heat is On: Why Summer Recruitment Burns Brightly

You might think that summer is a slow season for hiring, but let me tell you, the recruitment world doesn't get to take a break and sip piña coladas. Companies are ramping up for new projects, and with a significant chunk of the workforce out flipping burgers on the grill or flipping over on a sun lounger, the challenge is real. The pressure to fill open positions can feel like running a marathon in a wool suit under the midday sun.

Vacation Vibes and Candidate Ghosting

Just when you think you’ve found the perfect candidate, poof! They vanish faster than ice cream at a kid’s birthday party. Summer is prime time for ghosting, not just in your love life, but in recruitment too. Candidates are out enjoying their vacations, and sometimes, their job search enthusiasm is sunbathing somewhere far from their email inbox.

Navigating the Summer Slowdown: A Serious Game

It's not all bad news and sunburns. Summer can be a great time to connect with potential hires in a more relaxed setting. Think about it: fewer competing job offers, more casual coffee meetings outside where you can wear sunglasses and pretend you’re in a spy movie. It’s a time when you can get creative with your recruiting tactics—host a job fair at a popular summer festival, or why not a meet-and-greet at a beach bar?

Strategies for Sizzling Summer Hiring

• Plan Ahead for PTO: Yes, your team deserves a vacation, but so does everyone else’s. Plan your staffing needs early and stagger vacations so that you’re not left playing solitaire in an empty office.
• Utilize Technology: Use video interviews to connect with candidates who might be out of town. It’s an excellent way to keep the process moving and to see if your candidate is dedicated enough to talk to you from their holiday destination. More on how technology is changing recruitment can be found on Harvard Business Review.
• Engage with Seasonal Events: Tie in recruitment activities with local summer events. It makes for a less formal interaction and allows you to see candidates in a more natural and relaxed environment. Learn more about engaging potential hires at Axis RPO Services.