For many businesses, summer brings sunshine, vacations, and, unfortunately, a hiring slowdown that can stall momentum right when it’s needed most. But the so-called “summer slump” doesn’t have to define your third quarter. With the right strategies, your agency or business can use the summer months to build a strong, motivated team that fuels Q3 performance and sets you up for a strong finish to the year.
Here’s how to keep your hiring efforts hot when the weather is too:
1. Plan Ahead to Stay Ahead
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is waiting until the fall rush to restart recruiting efforts. Instead, use summer to get ahead of the curve. Start by auditing your current team: Where are the gaps? Who’s on vacation? Who might be preparing to transition out? Use tools like the IdealTraits Assessment with your existing team to uncover strengths, potential skill gaps, and the attributes that make your top performers successful, so you know exactly what to look for in your next hire. By proactively planning, you can advertise roles, interview, and onboard new hires before peak busy season hits.
2. Keep Candidates Warm (and Engaged)
It’s common for candidates, and even hiring managers, to check out during the summer months. Keep the momentum going with frequent touchpoints. Leverage tools like automated emails, text messages, and even video interviews to engage candidates quickly. A streamlined, responsive hiring process not only keeps great talent from slipping away but also shows candidates you value their time, helping you stand out in a competitive hiring market.
3. Use Seasonal Flexibility as a Selling Point
Summer’s flexible vibe can actually work in your favor. Highlight perks like hybrid schedules, summer Fridays, or flexible PTO policies in your job ads. Many job seekers are attracted to roles that recognize the importance of work-life balance, especially during the warmer months when family vacations and activities are top of mind.
4. Automate the Busy Work
Don’t let manual tasks slow your team down when half your office is on vacation. Automated workflows can keep candidates moving through your pipeline while you focus on interviewing and closing. Automate follow-ups, screening steps, or even initial interview scheduling. The more you automate, the less chance there is for your top candidates to get lost in the shuffle.
5. Focus on Quality, Not Just Quantity
Summer can be a great time to revisit your hiring standards. If you’ve been casting a wide net without much success, refine your job ads and leverage pre-hire assessments to zero in on candidates who are truly the right fit. Better hires now mean less turnover and stronger performance in the months ahead.
6. Partner Up for Extra Support
Sometimes you just need an extra hand to keep things moving. If your team is stretched thin, our Virtual Hiring Assistant (VHA) Program is here to help. With IdealTraits VHA, you get a dedicated hiring expert who will craft compelling job ads, post them to top job boards, advise you on your market, and engage applicants on your behalf so you don’t lose momentum while your team takes that much-needed time off.
Make This Summer Count
The best part about avoiding the summer slump? You’ll gain a competitive advantage while others hit pause.
Use these months to attract, engage, and hire talent that will help you hit your Q3 goals and carry that momentum through the end of the year.
Need help keeping your hiring process running strong this summer? IdealTraits can help you streamline, automate, and stay ahead of the curve, no matter the season.
Ready to beat the summer slump? Let’s talk.