How Would You Quickly Hire Retail Staff for a Big Sale When 15 Quit Suddenly?

Seeking Guidance on Urgent Hiring Solutions

A few months back during my interview at Big Bazaar for the position of HR Officer, the HR manager presented me with a challenging situation. I was required to provide out-of-the-box suggestions or solutions to secure the position. The scenario was as follows: There is an end-of-year sale coming up in 3 to 4 days, and suddenly 10 to 15 sales staff members leave their jobs. With the upcoming rush of customers due to the year-end sale, the vacant positions need to be filled urgently. What methods should be used to fill these positions in just 3 to 4 days for both skilled and unskilled staff? Is it possible to fill the vacancies in such a short period of time?

My response was that I would attempt to fill the maximum number of vacancies using the following methods:

1) Newspaper Ads
2) Internal References/Staff Referrals
3) Contacting Consultants
4) Data Bank (I am familiar with the Future Group Data Bank from my internship at Central Mall)
5) Temporary Staffing on a contract basis
6) Job Portals

After presenting these solutions, the HR manager indicated that he still wanted an out-of-the-box solution and mentioned that the methods I suggested were common tactics. However, he did not specify the type of out-of-the-box solution he was looking for, and I did not inquire further about it.

My concern is to explore if there are any other solutions available to hire skilled/unskilled staff for the retail industry within such a short timeframe.

P.S: I was offered the position but did not accept it.

Thanks & Regards, Soniya

Put banners in front of Big Bazaar itself that there are positions available and contact to collect appointment letters while you shop. Announce cash incentives for employees who refer candidates for immediate joining. Make announcements inside Big Bazaar for open positions. :-)

Approach nearby colleges to recruit interested students for part-time work. Consider using Radio Mirchi type FM ads for promotion.

Thank you.

Retain existing staff on overtime by paying more and/or giving compensatory off days when the peak rush is over.

I think the Big Bazaar HR has this true scenario and must be looking for an out-of-the-box solution, and you answered with 5-6 points. So the HR must have executed any of these and fulfilled his gap for the end-of-season sale.

Did you get the job? If yes, then all is normal; if no, then your out-of-the-box solution helped that HR :D