SHOULD YOUR HIRING WAIT UNTIL THE NEW YEAR?

Posted on 4th December 2024

December often poses a tricky question for businesses: “do we carry on looking for new staff now, or wait until the new year?” It’s a dilemma that many businesses often resolve without thoroughly analysing their hiring strategy. Luckily, we’ve put together some of the biggest considerations to take into account when making this decision. We’ll soon send through these details to help your business make the most strategic recruitment decisions when hiring over the festive period and into the new year.

FIVE REASONS TO CONTINUE HIRING THROUGH DECEMBER

1. INCREASED SEASONAL DEMAND

Many businesses, particularly in retail, logistics, and customer service, experience a surge in demand during the Christmas season. Hiring temporary staff or seasonal workers allows companies to meet this increased workload without overburdening existing employees. Extra hands can help manage customer inquiries, stock levels, and deliveries, ensuring that operations run smoothly during one of the busiest times of the year. This seasonal influx of workers can also ensure that employees get the time off they need to rest and recharge without sacrificing customer service.

2. NOW MIGHT BE THE BEST TIME TO SHOWCASE YOUR OFFICE

When conducting face-to-face interviews, you need to make sure that candidates get the best possible impression of your office and working culture. There aren’t many other times of year that can help you create such a great impression of your business. Employees discussing company Christmas events and gift exchanges, as well as office decorations can help create a buzz of excitement that can really project a vibrant and enjoyable team ethos.

3. ATTRACTING TALENT DURING A LESS COMPETITIVE PERIOD

While many businesses are focused on the holiday rush, the job market in December can actually be less crowded, especially for permanent positions. Many organisations hold off on hiring until the new year, which can make it easier for a business to attract top talent. Job seekers who are looking for stability and long-term growth opportunities may be particularly inclined to consider permanent roles at this time, as they are often tired of temporary or seasonal work. Additionally, high-caliber candidates who are finishing up year-end projects or finishing their academic programs may be more open to considering new opportunities now that they are ready for a career change.

4. HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING IN THE NEW YEAR

Finding new candidates in December can really boost a culture of continuity and stability in the new year. Businesses that successfully find new candidates will be ready for them to begin in January, helping to boost their team’s productivity from the beginning of the new calendar year. Furthermore, Candidates that actually start new positions in December and before the Christmas break will put their new employers in an even better decision. On-boarding processes and initial learning curves can be completed prior to the Christmas break. This means those new employees will hit the ground running in January as an already established and productive member of the team.

5. THE BEST TIME TO AVOID OVERLOADING NEW EMPLOYEES

Businesses that typically see a slower trading period over Christmas could strategically benefit from hiring over that period. New candidates can often get overloaded with on-boarding processes, meetings, and various new processes to learn. A period of lowered operating pace could actually be the ideal backdrop to work alongside this on-boarding period. Employees could then feel more positive about their role in the business, ready to reach full productivity just as busier trading period begin.

FIVE REASONS TO WAIT FOR THE NEW YEAR

1. HOLIDAY DISTRACTIONS

The holiday season is often filled with distractions, both for employers and potential candidates. From holidays to family commitments, people’s availability can be inconsistent during December, which can slow down the hiring process. The focus on end-of-year deadlines, holiday events, and time off can make it difficult for both employers and candidates to prioritise interviews, assessments, and hiring decisions. Starting the hiring process after the holidays ensures that both parties can give their full attention to the task at hand.

2. BUDGET CONSTRAINTS AND FISCAL PLANNING

Many businesses operate on annual budgets that reset at the start of the new year. Hiring decisions made during the Christmas period may be rushed and not aligned with the company’s financial plans or strategic goals for the upcoming year. Delaying hiring until the new year allows businesses to take a fresh look at their budgets, forecast revenue, and determine how much they can realistically invest in new hires. This ensures that hiring decisions are made with a more accurate financial picture and long-term sustainability in mind.

3. DIFFICULTY IN FINDING HIGH-QUALITY CANDIDATES

While many people are actively looking for new roles in December during the holiday season, the best candidates for permanent roles may be focused on taking time off. As a result, the candidate pool for long-term roles may be smaller or less qualified. Waiting until the new year ensures that the most qualified candidates are available and actively searching for new opportunities. Moreover, after the holidays, candidates are often more motivated and focused, leading to a higher quality of applications and interviews.

4. EMPLOYEE AVAILABILITY FOR ON-BOARDING AND TRAINING

On-boarding and training new hires requires the involvement of current employees and managers, who may be distracted or unavailable during the busy Christmas season. The holiday period often means that key staff are taking time off or focusing on urgent tasks. Waiting until the new year allows businesses to allocate the necessary resources to properly on-board and train new employees. This ensures that new hires are integrated smoothly into the team and can contribute effectively from day one.

5. HIRING OVERLOAD DURING PEAK SEASONS

Recruiting and on-boarding new employees can be time-consuming, and businesses may already be stretched thin with holiday-related operations. Adding recruitment to an already overwhelming schedule could lead to rushed decisions or burnout. By postponing hiring until the new year, companies can dedicate the appropriate time and energy to recruiting, reviewing resumes, conducting thorough interviews, and making thoughtful decisions without the pressure of seasonal demands. This way, the hiring process is more deliberate, strategic, and less prone to errors or hasty choices.

HOWEVER YOU SHAPE YOUR WINTER HIRING STRATEGY, WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU & GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND WITH OUR ‘TALENT GUARANTEE’

We provide a no hire, no fee service, ensuring that our consultants identify and match the ideal candidate for each vacancy within the agreed time scales. In addition, wwe offer a ‘Talent Guarantee’. This means we will recruit again at no additional cost if a candidate falls short of your expectations in line with your company probation period. This allows you to hire with absolute confidence while your new hire the time to settle in and flourish within your organisation. This guarantee is a sign of just how confident we are in our abilities to find candidates that fit seamlessly into your team and benefit your business over the long-term. It’s this approach that’s given us a Google Review score of 4.9 with almost 300 reviews from local businesses and candidates.