Christmas casual

Christmas Casual Boom

by Angus Jones

In a surprising twist to the annual Christmas hiring spree, Australian retailers and hospitality businesses are enlisting the help of behavioural experts to navigate an increasingly complex job market. After peaking post-COVID and declining for over a year, Christmas casual roles have surged 11% since July. They’re now at their highest point in 12 months*, and employers face unprecedented challenges in securing quality staff.

The tight labour market, marked by Australia’s unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2% in August, has created a perfect storm for businesses looking to staff up for the holiday rush. In addition, the rise of AI-powered job application tools has made companies find themselves in uncharted waters.

“It’s a whole new ballgame,” says Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of Praesidium Risk and Resilience. “With candidates using AI tools like ChatGPT for resume and interview preparation, it’s harder than ever for employers to identify applicants with the right intent and integrity.”

Taylor, who has trained with world-leading behavioural experts, including former FBI personnel, is at the forefront of this new approach to seasonal hiring. He advocates for a return to face-to-face interviews focusing on situational and emotional intelligence.

“Businesses must select the best people to represent their brand and values over the Christmas peak,” Taylor explains. “The best way is to conduct in-person interviews that go beyond the standard questions.”

Key strategies for effective hiring include:

  1. Asking probing questions about conflict resolution and personal growth
  2. Observing candidates’ body language and communication style
  3. Being prepared to discuss organisational culture and values

Employers should be attuned to subtle cues during interviews:

  • Red Flags: “Watch for people’s speaking rhythm – people speed up when they don’t want to talk about something,” Taylor advises.
  • Green Lights: Confident candidates “take space” with open postures and relaxed demeanours.

For job seekers navigating this new landscape, Taylor recommends demonstrating confidence through body language and asking thoughtful questions about company culture.

As retailers brace for the holiday rush, the stakes have never been higher. With minimal due diligence time, businesses realise that the initial interview is more critical than ever.

“Retailers need to base everything on that first meeting,” Taylor emphasises. “You’re bringing someone in who will protect your reputation and brand. It’s worth taking the time to get it right.”

In a season traditionally marked by quick hires and high turnover, this shift towards a more nuanced, people-centric approach could revolutionise the Christmas casual experience—for businesses and employees alike.

As the summer sun heats up, so does the competition for quality seasonal staff. In this new era of AI-assisted job hunting and behavioural analysis, one thing is clear: the face of Christmas casual hiring in Australia is changing, and savvy businesses are leading the charge.

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