The holiday season often brings a slowdown in business operations, but when it comes to hiring, pausing your efforts can lead to missed opportunities. We connected with two of our Executive Directors, Tim Coonan from our Architecture, Engineering and Construction team and Travis Lau from our Professional Services team to discuss how they approach the holidays and explore a few strategies to help ensure your recruitment efforts remain effective during the festive season.
During our discussion, Travis gave sound advice for success during the holidays saying, “During the holiday season, planning ahead and using recruitment software can keep your hiring process efficient. Clear communication with candidates helps maintain their interest. Stay flexible and organized to ensure a smooth transition into the new year”.
Plan Ahead
Start by anticipating the holiday season’s impact on your hiring timeline. Identify key dates when your team and candidates might be unavailable and adjust your schedule accordingly. By planning interviews and decision-making processes in advance, you can avoid unnecessary delays.
Leverage Technology
Utilize recruitment software and tools to streamline your hiring process. Automated systems can help manage applications, schedule interviews, and keep track of candidate progress, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks even when team members are on holiday.
Stay Visible
Post holiday-specific job ads or highlight roles on platforms where top talent is looking. Engaging content can help attract candidates even when others are slowing down.
Maintain Communication
Keep the lines of communication open with clients and candidates. Inform them about any potential delays and set clear expectations regarding the timeline. Regular updates can help maintain candidate interest and engagement, even if the process slows down temporarily.
Tim highlighted the need for expert guidance during the holidays saying, “Educating your client and candidate bases on the advantages of hiring in December versus the beginning of the year might also help move things along faster. Competition doubles, if not triples, in Q1 for both clients hiring and candidates looking to land somewhere new. Having someone onboarded and ready to fly in Q1 is a huge advantage over the possibility of having to enhance your compensation package or delay the hire altogether by waiting until after the holidays.”
Flexible Interview Scheduling
Offer flexible interview times to accommodate both your team and candidates’ holiday schedules. Consider using virtual interviews to make it easier for everyone to participate without the need for travel.
Consider Same-Day Offers
In a competitive job market, top candidates often receive multiple offers. By making a same-day offer, you demonstrate decisiveness and enthusiasm about the candidate, which can significantly enhance their perception of your company. This approach shows that you value their time and are serious about bringing them on board without unnecessary delays. Additionally, while your competition is out of the office, you gain a strategic advantage by moving quickly to secure top talent.
Temporary Staffing Solutions
If your hiring needs are urgent, consider temporary staffing solutions to fill gaps during the holiday season. Temporary hires can keep your operations running smoothly while you continue to search for permanent candidates.
Promote Your Employer Brand
The holiday season is a great time to showcase your company culture and values. Share festive content on your social media channels and highlight any holiday-related activities or benefits your company offers. This can attract potential candidates who are looking for a positive and engaging workplace.
Stay Organized
Keep detailed records of all candidates and their stages in the hiring process. This will help you quickly pick up where you left off once the holiday season is over, ensuring a seamless transition back to regular hiring activities.
Partner with Experts
Working with a recruitment agency can make all the difference. We specialize in finding the right talent quickly, even during the busiest times of the year. Let us handle the legwork while you focus on closing out the year strong.
By implementing these strategies, you can keep your hiring process moving smoothly over the holidays and ensure that you don’t miss out on top talent—connect with us today to find top talent whether it be a full-time role or temporary and start the new year with the right team in place. Happy hiring!