Every business knows that peak season can feel like a sprint and a marathon at the same time; demand ramps up, shifts multiply, and you need to pivot quickly, while keeping operations running smoothly becomes more important (and challenging) than ever. With the right preparation, however, you can set yourself and your team up for success before the starting siren sounds and that first busy week hits.
Here are five best practices we at Indeed Flex recommend to help you get ahead of the mad rush and make peak season less stressful, more efficient, and ultimately more rewarding.
First, establish what shifts you will need filling, and post jobs in advance
When you know your busy period is approaching, get a head start by working out what shifts you’re going to need to fill to make the season a success, and post those jobs early. Workers appreciate visibility and time to plan around personal commitments, so by advertising shifts in advance, you’ll increase the likelihood of attracting reliable, motivated talent who can (and want!) to commit to your business ahead of time. This will help you avoid last-minute scrambles.
Think of it as building momentum: the earlier you post, the more options you’ll have, and the more confidence your team can feel about being fully staffed.
Second, review your shift attractiveness
By reviewing your shift attractiveness, you’ll stand out as an employer of choice to the top quality candidates who have plenty of options during busy periods. Take a step back and ask: what makes this role attractive to workers? Does it have a clear job description, competitive pay, convenient shift times, and even workplace perks, all of this can make a big difference.
It’s about making your shifts appealing so you can attract the talent you want. A small adjustment now could mean better engagement and stronger loyalty when you need it most.
Third, post jobs consistently throughout peak
It’s not just about being early, it’s about being steady. Something that appeals to contingent workers almost as much as flexibility, is reliability. Posting jobs consistently helps workers trust your business as a reliable source of opportunities. A predictable flow of shifts attracts regulars who in turn you can rely on, while also boosting your chances of securing top talent before the busiest periods.
In other words, consistency not only keeps your roster filled but also builds your reputation among workers who are eager to return shift after shift (we’ll come back to this in the final step).
Fourth, let Indeed Flex do some of the hard work for you
Hiring can be time-consuming and leave you bogged down in admin, which is not what you need in the run up to peak, when your focus should be on keeping operations running smoothly and clients happy, in the busy weeks ahead. That’s where Indeed Flex can make a real difference and give you the breathing room you need. From vetting and interviewing candidates to handling admin tasks, the Indeed Flex platform takes care of the heavy lifting, with built-in support and operation streamlining so you can save time, reduce stress, and focus on preparing your business for success.
And finally, rate workers and build your talent pool
Every shift is an opportunity to strengthen your future workforce. Workplace culture is important to all employees, whether they’re temporary or permanent, particularly during busy periods. By rating workers after their assignments, you can quickly identify who excels and is the best fit for your business. Over time, these ratings help you build a pool of go-to people you know you can count on during high-demand periods to step up and get the job done when you need them.
When peak season arrives next year, having that strong ready-made talent pool to tap into will mean less guesswork, fewer surprises, and more confidence in your staffing decisions. 2026 peak-prep you will thank you for it!
In short…
Peak season doesn’t have to mean peak stress. By posting early and consistently, letting Flex handle the admin, building your talent pool, and making shifts as appealing as possible, you’ll make sure your business is in the best shape.
Get ahead now, and when the season ramps up, you’ll be ready to not just to keep pace, but to lead the pack.
