Hiring student staff during peak times can be a smart move…if you know how to manage them. With limited time and lots to learn, things can get hectic. The key to their success (and yours) depends on planning, patience, and the right approach. 

 

These 10 practical tips will help you manage your temporary team so they’re ready on day one.

1. Have a clear hiring plan

If you’re hiring temps, be specific about what you’re looking for. Lay out exactly what the role involves, and include working hours, availability, and contract length in your job description. Most students won’t have years of experience, so highlight soft skills that show potential and a team-first mindset. By being transparent upfront, it’ll be easier to find the right fit. 

2. Look for the right attitude and adaptability

Temporary student staff won’t have months to grow into the role. They need to hit the ground running. Look for candidates who are eager to learn, can think on the fly, and are comfortable working in dynamic environments. Prioritise those who have worked short-term jobs or juggle multiple commitments during the academic year. Chances are, they’ll be able to handle new tasks, unexpected changes, and teamwork. 

3. Keep onboarding short, smart, and repeat!

Time is limited, so every moment of onboarding counts. Focus on the essentials, and create training materials ahead of time. Make training easy to deliver again and again. Consider creating bite-sized, digestible videos or micro-courses that students can revisit as they need and access directly from their mobiles. That way, they can learn at their own pace and you can ensure that everyone receives the same exact onboarding experience.

4. Use training & onboarding software to save time and standardise

If you manage a seasonal staff, using employee onboarding software can help you:

 

1. Standardise training

2. Track progress

3. Reduce repetitive questions

 

Here’s what to look for in a good onboarding and training platform:

Here’s what to look for in a good onboarding/training platform:

 

• Mobile-friendly interface for student workers on the go

• Pre-built templates and customisable checklists

• Real-time progress tracking to know who’s completed what

• Support multimedia formats for easy image and video viewing

• Scalable for small and large seasonal teams

5. Assign peer mentors

Pair new hires with veteran team members to speed up training and build a sense of belonging. Having a go-to person for questions can make temps feel more comfortable and help you identify gaps in onboarding. Plus, it reduces friction between permanent staff and seasonal workers by fostering teamwork. 

6. Get regular feedback

Touch base with temporary staff regularly. A quick daily or weekly check-in helps catch issues early on and shows student works that they’re supported and heard. Use their feedback as an advantage to improve current operations and plan ahead for future seasonal cohorts.

7. Create clear, fair schedules

Things come up and schedules change. Use shift-planning software that factors in availability, preferences, and time off to avoid scheduling conflicts. Update your team if there is a last-minute change to reduce no-shows. Share rosters early and offer an easy way for seasonal staff to request changes or swap shifts.

8. Keep everyone in the loop

Student staff are mobile-first. If you have important updates, shift reminders, or policy changes you need to share, don’t just pin a note to the noticeboard and hope everyone sees it. Instead, meet your temps where they are. Use messaging apps to make sure everyone receives the announcement in real-time.

9. Promote professional praise

Positive feedback is a powerful tool, and it can go a long way for students new to the workplace. Professional praise shows students their work matters, boosts motivation, and encourages pride in what they do. Even a quick shoutout can make temps feel valued and appreciated 

10. Reflect and prepare for next time

When things settle down, review what worked and what didn’t. Ask your seasonal staff for their feedback and use this information to help improve your next hiring cycle. Look at how long onboarding took to complete and how quickly workers found their feet. Consider which student staff you might want to invite back next year.

There’s no need to scramble when it comes to managing seasonal staff. With the right prep, good communication, and reliable tools, you can train a temp team that’s capable, confident, and ready to deliver.