Buckling Down in Human Resources after the Summer Slowdown

You've slogged through the summer heat, helped your managers plan for employee absences during vacation season, and dealt with the occasional office blowup. As temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change, your human resources team is probably about to experience a busy season of hiring and change. Hopefully, you used the seasonal slowdown to prepare and are refreshed and ready to buckle down until the holidays.

According to board-certified career counselor Mary Eileen Williams, early fall is typically one of the busiest hiring seasons in the year. Businesses begin ramping up for the holidays, incorporating end-of-year changes, and bolstering numbers for annual reporting. As projects are ramped up, human resources staff will be called on to recruit for open positions. To avoid delays in hiring, plan accordingly. Make sure all staff members are back from vacation before things are due to get busy, and ask your human resources employees to limit further time off in the early fall.

Human resources organizations can also reduce the stress of the post-summer crunch by taking full advantage of the slower period of June through August. Encourage people to take their time off during June or July. If you're an HR staffer, consider taking an early vacation and then taking just a day or two off just before school restarts for relaxation. A refreshed workforce will be better equipped to deal with the constant barrage of phone calls and demands associated with the hiring ramp up.

In addition to managing time off effectively, work together as a human resources team to ensure processes are ready for the fall load. You can begin recruiting efforts during the hot months when you have time to research candidates online, make connections via LinkedIn, and give new résumés your full attention. If you have a good understanding of general business structures or communicate regularly with company leaders, you probably have some idea of the positions that will open in the fall. Look for candidates during the slower months and bring any relevant applications to the attention of management in good time; in some cases, management may want to bring a great applicant on board ahead of the peak season, reducing your work during the busiest period.

Once fall hits, keep your HR office productive by ensuring high morale and keeping everyone healthy. Keep hand sanitizer at your desk; you'll be shaking a lot of hands as you interview applicants, so you want to follow good hand washing and sanitation routines. It's tempting to fill the entire day with appointments and interviews, but encourage everyone to leave the office for lunch at least once a week. If you manage a human resources team, consider splurging on breakfast or lunch for the group to show your appreciation for their hard work during a stressful time.

It's easy to get used to the sluggish pace of summer, and the fall hiring season can hit human resources teams hard. Using the slow periods to plan and taking a few minutes to de-stress each day will help you make it to the holidays with the smile still on your face.

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