With more people looking for holiday jobs and retail positions this season, hiring teams need to act fast with efficient solutions to bring on workers quickly. Here are three ways retailers can use AI and technology to hire seasonal workers before the competition.
First, focus on matching skills, not just job titles. AI can help retailers broaden their recruitment process by intelligently matching candidates with jobs that fit their skills, not just the job titles they’re searching for. This is particularly helpful since seasonal roles often have different names. For example, if people are looking for "server" positions but your company lists them as "waiter" or "waitress," you might miss out on qualified candidates. Chatbots can match candidates with the roles that suit their skills best, improving their experience and removing the burden from them to search for specific titles.
Next, consider offering skill assessments to potential hires. Getting the right people on board is crucial, but so is ensuring they stick around. By providing skill assessments, candidates can get a taste of what their daily work would be like, helping them decide if it’s the right fit for them. Using well-researched assessments can further help teams determine if candidates have the necessary skills and potential.
Lastly, engage with Gen Z candidates through texting. Born between 1997 and 2012, this digitally savvy generation is more comfortable with technology, including texting. So, reach out to them via texts to make the recruitment process more efficient. You can send reminders for interviews, offer job application links through QR or text codes, and manage direct messaging campaigns—all without using personal phones. This quick communication helps speed up engagement or re-engagement with candidates.
AI also plays a significant role in holiday hiring by taking on repetitive tasks. This allows HR teams more time to focus on creative and complex duties. Many HR leaders are excited about AI in their work, noting increased productivity. They often use AI to enhance job post content or create and summarize job listings. Workers also use AI to boost their own job-hunting endeavors, such as polishing resumes, crafting cover letters, and preparing for interviews.
The real advantage, though, comes from using AI not just to make current processes faster but to rethink and innovate how hiring is done entirely. It’s about discovering new potential and maximizing human skills beyond what’s already achieved. AI can especially help during the holiday season in areas like onboarding and training. For instance, chatbots can handle new hires’ questions, making transitions smoother, and AI-powered training programs can create personalized learning experiences, essential for quickly mastering necessary skills.
Beyond AI, other tech innovations like Walmart’s nanolearning provide fast, targeted training on employees’ devices, important for learning without taking much time away from work. These short modules can fit into daily routines, letting employees quickly learn and apply skills, especially during busy holiday times.
By combining AI with these strategies, retailers can create a more efficient training environment, supporting seasonal staff and ensuring consistent customer service.
