Guide to Hiring for Seasonal and Summer Jobs

Know the law

Many summer and temporary workers are minors. Failing to follow laws that affect them can get you in big trouble. Likewise, hiring undocumented workers is a big mistake.

I recommend: For the in's and out's of the law, see AccountingWEB's Bookkeepers Offer Advice for Hiring Summer Help and the Department of Labor's Employment Law Guide: Child Labor.

Advertise in all the right places

Define what you need to have done and place easy-to-read recruitment ads in effective places.

I recommend: Your local paper, Craigslist.org, the local high school and college job centers and StudentJobs.gov are good places to start.

Try a temporary staffing agency

Some jobs are hard to fill via a classified ad. Temporary agencies are expensive but they can find good people.

I recommend: Manpower Inc., Kelly Services, Accountemps, The Creative Group, Robert Half Technology, or Minute Men Staffing Services will send over lots of candidates and handle all the paperwork as well.

Set up a system

Create a structure that explains the task at hand and makes the rules clear so temporary employees can be productive right away. Otherwise, they'll fritter away their time and your money.

I recommend: Employee Handbook Builder will help you document the rules and you can easily add things like "No flip-flops."