Hiring during the festive period seems counterintuitive, but in this blog we’ll show you why it’s the perfect time for recruitment efforts.
December has arrived and it’s not uncommon for companies to hit the brakes on recruitment, assuming that the festive period isn’t ideal for finding top talent.
However, this perspective may be costing organisations valuable opportunities to secure skilled professionals ahead of the new year.
Contrary to common belief, the festive period can be a highly advantageous time to recruit, offering benefits that many companies overlook.
Below, we break down why keeping up (or even increasing) your hiring efforts during the festive season could be the best decision for your company, with insights backed by industry data and expert perspectives.
1. Less competition, more visibility
One of the primary advantages of recruiting during the festive season is the reduction in competition.
Many companies tend to pull back on their recruitment efforts, assuming candidates are too busy with holiday preparations to focus on career moves. This lull creates an opportunity for proactive employers to shine.
According to a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research, hiring during “off-peak” times can be highly advantageous.
When fewer businesses are actively recruiting, the candidates available are more likely to engage with your job postings, and your employer brand has less noise to contend with.
This can translate to not only higher engagement with your postings but also better-quality hires, as there is less competition vying for the same pool of talent.
2. The rise of proactive candidates
The end of the year is a time for reflection, and for many professionals, it’s the perfect time to evaluate career progress.
Data from LinkedIn’s Hiring Trends Report suggests that candidate engagement remains high during the holiday season.
As professionals think about what’s next for their career, they often take the time to update their CVs, refresh their LinkedIn profiles, and browse new opportunities.
This mindset shift towards new beginnings makes the festive period a key time for reaching proactive job seekers.
Companies that are active during this period can capture these candidates at a moment when they are particularly motivated and open to making a change.
3. Quieter schedules for faster decision-making
Another significant benefit of maintaining recruitment efforts in December is the potential for streamlined decision-making processes.
Many hiring managers and key decision-makers have lighter schedules towards the end of the year, providing an opportunity to focus on recruiting without the usual day-to-day pressures.
This can lead to quicker interview processes, faster offers, and a more efficient hiring cycle overall.
According to Glassdoor insights, job seekers are often more available during this period, as their own work commitments might be lighter.
This can make scheduling interviews easier and move candidates more swiftly through the recruitment process, leading to a better experience for everyone involved.
4. Preparing for the New Year’s surge
The new year often comes with new projects, goals, and growth plans.
By recruiting during the festive period, your organisation can have new hires ready to hit the ground running in January.
This means you can start the year at full strength, rather than beginning recruitment efforts after the holidays and having a delayed impact.
Starting the year with a full team ready to tackle new challenges also gives you a competitive edge over other businesses that might be lagging behind in their hiring efforts.
A head start on onboarding and integrating new team members can mean hitting key targets earlier in the year and making significant strides while others are just beginning to ramp up their efforts.
5. Job seekers remain active in December
Despite the common belief that job seekers are on holiday mode in December, data shows otherwise.
Indeed Hiring Lab reports that job searches do not significantly drop during the festive season.
Professionals who are already considering a career change tend to use the holiday period to browse opportunities, and there is often an increase in searches related to career changes and new roles.
This makes December an ideal time to have active job postings.
Those candidates who are looking are often more serious about making a move, meaning they could be highly engaged and ready to commit to a new opportunity.
As a result, employers have the potential to attract top-tier talent who are ready for a new challenge.
6. Counter-cyclical hiring can lower costs
Recruiting when others are taking a break not only increases visibility but can also help control hiring costs.
As Harvard Business Review has pointed out in articles focused on strategic hiring, recruiting in quieter periods often allows companies to secure talent at a lower cost, since demand for recruitment agency services may be lower and advertising costs may drop.
This counter-cyclical strategy ensures that your recruitment budget goes further while still attracting high-quality candidates.
7. Opportunity to build talent pipelines
Even if your goal isn’t immediate hiring, keeping recruitment efforts active in December can help build a robust talent pipeline.
Engaging with potential candidates now means that when future opportunities open up, you already have a pool of interested and pre-screened talent to draw from.
LinkedIn’s Hiring Trends Report also indicates that this is an optimal time for building relationships with passive candidates.
By reaching out when fewer companies are in the market, you can develop meaningful connections that could pay dividends when hiring ramps up.
8. Festive recruiting shows a strong employer brand
Candidates also take note of companies that actively recruit during the festive season.
It demonstrates that your organisation is forward-thinking and prepared for growth.
For candidates considering multiple options, seeing a company actively investing in new talent during what’s typically considered a quiet period can signal strength, stability, and an attractive place to work.
Don’t let recruitment hibernate during the festive season
The festive period doesn’t have to mean slowing down your recruitment efforts.
In fact, it’s a prime opportunity to secure top talent, build your talent pipeline, and prepare for the new year’s goals, all while potentially reducing costs and standing out in a less crowded hiring landscape.
Whether it’s taking advantage of less competition, capturing proactive candidates ready for a change, or making quicker hiring decisions with less scheduling friction, there’s a compelling case to be made for keeping recruitment alive during the holidays.
If you want to discuss how we can help you stay ahead with your recruitment strategy, feel free to reach out.
Learn more about how Astute can support your hiring needs. Don’t let your recruitment efforts hibernate—the best talent is still out there, waiting to be found.
