A great crew turns a chaotic season into a smooth one. But you're hiring for a short, intense window — which makes finding and training the right people a challenge of its own.
Hire for reliability over experience
You can teach someone to hang lights in a day. You can't teach them to show up on time and be comfortable on a ladder. Screen for dependability, a good attitude, and no fear of heights.
Start recruiting early
The good seasonal workers get snapped up. Post in September, tap your network, and rehire last year's stars first — returning crew are worth their weight in gold because they already know your system.
Train the system, not just the task
Walk new hires through a real install: how you clip C9s, how you wrap a tree, how you stage materials, how you leave a site clean. Consistency is what makes your company look professional across every crew.
Make safety non-negotiable from day one
Ladder rules, three points of contact, no working in ice. Set the tone early that safety is how you operate, not a suggestion.
Track hours and pay fairly (and on time)
Nothing loses a crew faster than messy or late pay. Keep clean records of hours worked, and pay promptly. A reliable paycheck earns you reliable people — and the ones who come back next year are the foundation of a business that scales.
Invest in your crew and they'll carry you through the busiest six weeks of your year.