Deciding to bring on additional help at your organization is a major choice that any manager faces. The hiring process itself is complicated enough, but the decision to even begin that process also deserves some attention. Hiring for the wrong reasons can end up costing your organization in the long run. Thinking out your staffing needs and deciding what the best course of action is beforehand can avoid such long term costs.

The first question, of course, is why do you need to hire someone? Sometimes this crucial question goes unanswered or at best vaguely answered. Avoiding kneejerk hiring sprees is something every manager should be capable of. Before the decision to hire someone is made, be sure that the need for that hire can be clearly spelled out. What is behind the demand for more labor? If it is a temporary spike in business, deciding to hire might require some second thought. Likewise, hiring simply because a few employees are retiring is another kneejerk reaction best avoided.

Before adding a significant new cost burden to the organization, identify areas that might allow the additional coverage to be added without making new hires. If it is simply a matter of needing additional coverage, can existing employees provide that coverage with some overtime? This is especially important if the extra coverage is required because of what could be only a temporary spike in business or sales.

If existing resources simply cannot satisfy demand, consider going through a temporary agency to find qualified workers quickly. Temporary workers or part time workers usually do not expect benefits, and can provide a flexible staffing solution. Even better, temporary employees can often be offered permanent positions if they perform well, allowing the employer to make hiring decisions based on performance.

When attempting to fill a vacancy quickly, do not neglect all the usual employment processes. Doing background checks and conducting thorough interviews are just as important even if the position is only temporary or must be filled quickly. Following normal hiring procedures will allow you to find talented individuals that may become permanent employees later on.

Customer service is ultimately the most important factor, especially in a retail environment. Finding workers that can provide excellent customer service is very important, and these standards should not be relaxed, even if the staffing crunch is particularly severe.