There are plenty of reasons why companies shy away from hiring during the holiday season: staff are overwhelmed with end-of-year admin and simply don’t have the energy; team members are on vacation and not available for interviews; there’s simply no time for onboarding, offboarding or team training… the list is endless. However, the holiday season is actually a great time to hire, and not just from a business point of view. There’s also the psychological perspective to consider; as the holiday season approaches, workers’ attitudes change, which can be incredibly helpful when trying to fulfil your end of year hiring quota…
The ‘Use it or Lose it’ motivation tactic: Does your budget for hiring expire on December 31? The psychological pressure to use these funds can act as motivation to secure a great candidate, rather than delay the decision. Even if your new employee doesn’t start full time until after the New Year, you can bring them in for one-off training sessions during December. That way they’ll hit the ground running in January and you won’t lose your budget.
Spreading some festive cheer: Unemployed candidates are eager to nail down employment before the end of the year so they can share the good news with friends and family at social gatherings. The desire for positive feedback can lead to increased job-seeking activity as candidates look to up their game by sending out more job applications.
Out with the old, in with the New Year working resolutions: As midnight approaches people like to sit back and take stock of their lives, asking questions like: ‘Do I like my job?’; ‘What do I really want to do with my life?’; ‘Am I achieving my life goals?’ We’re in a mindset of change and growth, so take advantage of wandering eyes and the influx of new job seekers on the market by posting and promoting your job listings during the holiday season. Click here for our handy guide to writing the perfect Job Description online.
(Net)working 9 ‘til 5: We tend to celebrate more than usual during the holiday season; be it company dinners or after work drinks with work colleagues. Now is the time to take advantage of this super-social atmosphere by putting those business cards to good use! After all, what’s a better Christmas gift than a new job for the new year?
