Leverage Withe's hiring event platform
Streamline your seasonal and high-volume hiring process and hit your hiring targets.
As we get closer to the 2024 holiday season, recruiters and seasonal job seekers are gearing up for this pivotal time. The demand for seasonal workers, particularly in retail and distribution roles, typically begins to rise in September and October. This increase in hiring usually continues through November and December, aligning with the holiday shopping season and major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It creates a dynamic job market characterized by unique trends and challenges. By examining the data and trends from 2023, we can glean valuable insights for anyone involved in holiday hiring this year.
Supported by data from Indeed, Snagajob’s Holiday Hiring Reports, and Challenger Gray & Christmas report, this article delves into these trends to offer a comprehensive overview of the current holiday hiring landscape.
Leverage Withe's hiring event platform
Streamline your seasonal and high-volume hiring process and hit your hiring targets.
Key Statistics to Know
- 19% Increase in job-seeker interest: Job-seeker interest in seasonal work is up 19% from 2022, despite a decline in job postings.
- 564,200 jobs added in retail in 2023: The retail sector added 564,200 jobs in 2023, a 11% increase from 2022.
- 55% first-time seasonal job seekers: A majority of holiday job seekers (55%) are looking for a seasonal job for the first time.
- 38% of workers seek flexible schedules: While flexibility remains important, 62% of seasonal workers now prioritize predictable and consistent schedules.
- 81% start job search in September: The majority of holiday job seekers (81%) begin their search in September, highlighting the importance of early recruitment efforts.
Decline in job postings but increased interest
According to research at Indeed's Hiring Lab, postings for seasonal or holiday-related roles on Indeed reached their lowest point since 2019. This decline highlights a shift in employer behavior and possibly reflects broader economic conditions or changes in business strategies. Conversely, job-seekers’ interest in seasonal work is up 19% from 2022, marking the highest level in years. This discrepancy between job postings and job-seeker interest underscores a competitive landscape where employers must strategically attract and retain seasonal talent.
Retail hiring trends
Retailers staff up despite economic uncertainty
Despite economic uncertainties, retailers are staffing up for a solid holiday shopping season in 2023. The Challenger, Gray & Christmas report indicates that major retailers are ramping up their hiring efforts to meet anticipated consumer demand. This proactive approach by retailers is crucial to handling the holiday rush effectively, ensuring that they can provide excellent customer service and manage increased sales volumes.
Jobs added in retail: A historical perspective
The graph illustrates the number of jobs added in retail during the months of October, November, and December from 2005 to 2023, and offers a historical perspective on retail hiring trends.
The graph shows significant fluctuations over the years, reflecting various economic conditions and market dynamics. Notably, there was a sharp decline in 2008 during the financial crisis, followed by a gradual recovery. In recent years, there has been more variability, with peaks and troughs that align with broader economic trends and consumer behavior shifts.
Withe's hiring event platform helps recruiters hire seasonal employees more efficiently and effectively than ever.
Demographic shifts in seasonal job seekers
Age distribution
The demographic landscape of seasonal job seekers has evolved significantly. 21% of seasonal work job seekers are under 25 years of age, emphasizing the continued interest from younger workers. Notably, the number of seasonal work job seekers in the 55-64 year age group increased by 9% from 2022, and for workers 65 and older, the increase was 5%. These shifts indicate a broader range of age groups participating in the seasonal job market, possibly driven by economic needs or the desire for supplemental income.
Preferences and priorities of seasonal workers
Flexible vs. Predictable schedules
According to Snagajob’s Holiday Hiring Report 2023, while 38% of seasonal job seekers are looking for flexibility in their schedules, this number is down 16% from 2022. The remaining 62% of workers desire a predictable, consistent schedule. This shift suggests that while flexibility remains important, more workers are prioritizing stability and predictability in their work hours.
Motivations and expectations
A majority of holiday job seekers are new to seasonal work, with 55% looking for a holiday job for the first time. Additionally, 33% of workers are specifically looking for a holiday job to test out the company, and 58% of workers would consider staying on after the holiday season—but only at a job they liked. This trend highlights the dual role of seasonal jobs as both a temporary employment opportunity and a potential pathway to permanent positions.
Desired job features
Job seekers are looking for several key features in their seasonal employment:
- More say in their schedule (51%)
- More hours (39%)
- Getting paid faster (34%)
- Sign-on bonus (27%)
- Employee discounts (24%)
- Performance bonus (23%)
- Meals on shift (19%)
These preferences underscore the importance of flexibility, financial incentives, and additional perks in attracting seasonal workers.
Job posting essential and enticing benefits
Key information in job posts
According to Snagajob’s Holiday Hiring Report 2022, hourly workers expect to see the following on a job post:
- Pay rate (74%)
- Days and shifts needed (66%)
- Job location (64%)
- Availability of flexible scheduling (58%)
- Job requirements and expectations (53%)
- Benefits offered (39%)
Providing clear and comprehensive information in job postings can significantly impact the attractiveness of the position to potential candidates.
Top benefits for seasonal jobs
The benefits that would entice hourly workers to take a seasonal job include:
- Weekly payouts (69%)
- Flexible scheduling (62%)
- Sign-on bonus (51%)
- Potential for permanent hire (46%)
- End-of-season performance bonus (37%)
- Discounts on company products/services (35%)
- Shift meals (25%)
Offering these benefits can enhance an employer's ability to attract and retain seasonal workers.
Job Search Timing and Methods
The majority of holiday job seekers start looking for work in September (81%) - October (12%), with smaller percentages in November (5%) and December (2%). Additionally, 65% of seasonal job searchers look for work on online job boards, highlighting the importance of a strong online presence for employers.
Conclusion
The holiday hiring landscape in 2023 presents a mix of challenges and opportunities, with a notable decline in job postings offset by increased interest from job seekers. Retailers are proactively increasing staffing levels despite economic uncertainties, reflecting the need to meet anticipated consumer demand. The evolving demographics of seasonal job seekers, along with their preferences for flexibility, financial incentives and potential for permanent positions, underscore the importance of attractive benefits and clear job postings.
Since most job seekers begin their search in early fall and rely heavily on online job boards, employers must maintain a strong online presence to secure top seasonal talent. Understanding and adapting to these trends will be critical for companies looking to successfully navigate the holiday hiring season.
Withe’s hiring event platform helps recruiters hire seasonal employees more efficiently and effectively than ever. Learn more about our product.
