No matter how many years ago you went to school, there's a little part of each of us that believes summer will be a time for sunny vacation. For most of us, that's simply not the case. When it comes to hiring, there's no reason you can't simplify the process for yourself over the summer. These tips will show you how to make summer hiring easier -- so you get more hours out in the sun.

Rethink Requirements

Employers report two significant problems no matter how economic conditions are at the time: not enough qualified applicants or too many unqualified candidates. Overhauling your job requirements is an excellent start to solving this problem. Consider the position you're looking to fill. If you're not directly involved in performing or managing the role, enlist someone more familiar with the position for help. Compare the job description with the job as it is currently performed (or you'd like to see it evolve). Is a college degree really necessary or just an easy way to shorten the pile? Are the skill requirements listed outdated? Can the job be performed remotely now? Does the position require a higher level of technical savvy than it used to? Rebuild the job description from the ground up. It can help you understand how to market to ideal potential applicants.

Post With Panache

Now that you've crafted the perfect job description, you can post it online, right? Not so fast! A job description is not a job post. One more time, a job description is not a job post. Job descriptions are primarily for internal use. They represent a list of requirements you can use to compare with applicant qualifications. It can certainly be part of the post, but a job post is an advertisement. The job is a product you're selling to your target audience, like razor blades or automobiles. Each post must lead with the WIIFM (what's in it for me) from the candidate's perspective. Start with an attention-grabbing headline, follow with what makes the job and your company so great to work for, then add duties and responsibilities. Summer is a great time to experiment with some fun and enticing language in your ads. You can always change it if you're not getting the results you want.

Check the Files

We've all faced the quandary of not going out for dinner because "we have food at home." Well, you have strong candidates right in your database. For every candidate who got the job, there was another who was a close second. Chances are, they've done nothing but improve since you've seen them last. Why not reach out to see if they are in the market for a change? It's free, and it doesn't get much easier. You'll be out of the office and sitting by the pool in no time.

Work With a Staffing Firm

Building a trusting relationship with a staffing and recruiting firm is one of the best ways to make your job easier. Put a little time into getting to know each other and set expectations at the beginning, and you can practically put your hiring process on autopilot. You could be on the beach or your cabin at the lake and just pick up the phone to say, " I need five more assemblers," or email a list of requirements for a tough-to-fill position and say, "Get back to me when you have three solid candidates for me to interview."

It's summertime, and the hiring's easy -- or it can be when you work with PrideStaff! Contact us today and let us take the heat out of the hiring process while you stay cool.