Feature Story
Hiring for Snow and Ice by Neal Glatt, Grow the Bench
W
ith winter rapidly approaching, many companies are starting to focus on recruiting and hiring seasonal employees to shovel, operate equipment, manage sites, or assist with admin work. But for many, the very thought of winter staffing is enough to consider reducing snow and ice obligations. There are, however, proven strategies that can make hiring for winter positions much, much easier, no matter if you need to hire 10 or 1,000 people.
Advertise the Purpose
Most job postings I see for snow work do a terrible job of advertising the mission of the company. Snow management often requires long hours working in the cold, usually in the dark, doing lot of tiring work. It’s certainly not as comfortable as working at a gas station or fast food restaurant. And when those alternative options offer comparable (or higher) hourly
rates along with vacation, 401(k) matching, consistent hours, and advancement opportunities, snow and ice companies don’t stand much of a chance of winning over potential employees. But there is one key way to shift the tables. When we can connect the mission and purpose of our companies to individual jobs, interest, safety, and retention skyrockets. In fact, Gallup reports that mission-driven workgroups have 30% to 50% fewer accidents and 15% to 30% less turnover. Stand out by incorporating marketing language into job postings such as:
We help people get access to groceries, prescriptions, and their place of work safely by clearing snow and ice at supermarkets, pharmacies, and offices throughout New Jersey. Working with our firm allows you to make a difference in your community no matter what mother nature brings this winter. Studies have shown that mission-driven companies which advertise the purpose of their organization in job ads receive a boost in job posting interest and quality equal to that of offering a 30% higher wage. There is simply no better or more affordable way to increase recruiting effectiveness.
Provide Growth Opportunities
Of all the things that employees are seeking in jobs today, the top priority is an opportunity to learn and grow. Seasonal positions in snow and ice are often treated by employers as transactional and rarely are the employees that hold them given developmental opportunities. This is the biggest mistake companies repeat to cause turnover. The reason why most companies don’t invest in their seasonal employees is that they are concerned about the time and money commitment to do so. But Gallup studies have proven that teams which strongly agree they have had opportunities to learn and grow at work are 10% more profitable than those who do not. Plus, with advancements in online learning, employee training has never been easier. Consider for example Snowfighter’s Institute Virtual Bootcamp. For only $49, 10 employees can experience two weeks of onboarding completed in short, ondemand video segments. By teaching employees a holistic approach to snow and ice management, they see the larger picture of the company and industry while feeling valued and invested in as team members. No wonder they have higher levels of commitment and involvement as a result. You can learn more about Bootcamp at https://SnowfightersInstitute.com/ Virtual-Bootcamp/.
Find Niche Labor Markets
In sales, we are always looking for a niche market – a way to sell our services in a way that very few others have considered.
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