If you read our most recent blog, “When is the Best Time to Hire?” then you probably read about “The Winter Plague”. If you haven’t, this “Plague” occurs during the winter months starting in November throughout the entirety of December. Reasons the hiring process could be slower during these months is due to a variety of reasons such as the change from quarter three to four or for other reasons such as popular vacation times. Although these months may be trickier to navigate when it comes to the hiring process, it’s not impossible, nor should you shy away if you need to fill those positions.

Why is November and December Slower?

As previously mentioned in our last blog, out of all twelve months of the year, November and December are the slowest, with December taking the cake as the slowest month for hiring of the year. But, why? Typically, December is a time for vacations, holidays, and, quite frankly, pushing off other less-urgent tasks to the beginning of the new year. Many people take time off for Christmas and many schools are out for multiple weeks leaving parents stuck working remotely or taking time off. This is something to keep in mind as you start the hiring process during these slower months. To help, our recruiters, Jerry Matthew and Nathan Lewis set up a few quick tips to help navigate this tricky season.

What Our Recruiters Say:

Nathan Lewis, Senior Recruiter at ApplicantOne, Inc.

Days of the Week: Job posting on Sunday night and Monday morning is key.

The majority of applicants apply on Tuesdays.

Another day to post an opening is Friday, as candidates will be job hunting on Saturday and Sunday away from their office space.

Hit Work Culture Hard: As hiring is low due to budgeting for the upcoming year, oftentimes the positions that are budgeted take a back seat to upcoming hiring needs/high salary roles.

As a hiring manager, this is a key moment to highlight your company’s culture, perks, etc. Essentially, the “why” aspect. Additionally, you can talk about the company’s community outreach and growth plans for the upcoming year. A vacancy can turn into a great marketing tool.

Don’t Discount The Holiday Season: December is a time where the holiday season is paramount on employees’ minds. Many hiring managers simply assume that candidates are taking a break from the job hunt because they are preoccupied with travel plans and time off. It’s common that a hiring manager may ease off the gas with the hunt for quality candidates.

Don't always assume that candidates are not looking during this time. As it gets closer to the new year, a new job may be a priority on their resolution list.You can get ahead of the game by hitting the pavement full speed with candidate search and sourcing in December. Candidates are always looking for new opportunities - always.

Jerry Mathew, Senior Recruiter at ApplicantOne, Inc.

While many feel as though the holiday season is slower, it’s actually a great time for candidates to peruse the job boards for open positions. It can’t hurt to get those positions posted around the holidays if you’re not in a crunch for time.

If you really want to lure in quality prospective candidates, it's crucial to highlight and provide a flexible work environment and a healthy work-life balance. These specific qualities not only appeal to active candidates, but lure in passive candidates to consider your position.

Post jobs (through ApplicantOne, of course) providing detailed factors which will allow them to get better candidates, making both our job and their job easier. Be sure to include all of the important details in your posting such as Location, Qualifications (both the basics and the preferred), Salary Range, Job Duties, etc. Be super clear with your listings so that those looking to apply know exactly what to expect.

If your job posting is a relocation opportunity, most people aren’t willing to consider uprooting their lives during the holidays. Consider a holiday signing bonus or increase the pay if your budget allows it to ensure interested candidates.

Another great tip for hiring during the holiday season (November and December) is seeking out passive candidates. These candidates aren’t currently searching for a job, but according to TopEchelon:

They’re employed. In other words, they’re considered valuable enough by at least one organization to be employed.

They’re content and engaged at their current job, which means that their employer is treating them well. Organizations usually treat their most valuable employees in the best fashion. You’d think that companies treat all of their employees exactly the same . . . but we both know that is not the case.

They’re busy, which means they don’t have any time to conduct a job search, anyway. The reason they’re so busy is because their employer considers them so valuable. And because they consider them so valuable, they bury them in work . . . and they’re paying them quite well for it.

Although the stats look bleak, consider using them to your advantage. If you know before posting a listing that December tends to be slow and people tend to be on vacation, post strategically around those dates. Use the awesome tips from our recruiters to your advantage and take into consideration details you may not consider during a busy month like January such as the days you post, the times you post, what you post, and what you market. If a great position opens up, it will be filled.

Looking to Hire Now?

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