This time of year brings with it lots of changes – warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and a big uptick in fun public events. It’s also when businesses start looking ahead and planning for the New Year.

In the recruitment industry, early December is typically when we start to see activity tapering off, at least in some areas of the market (while others are starting to ramp up). Employers may have gaps in their workforce to fill, but often they decide to hold off from any hiring activity until the new year. That seems logical right? Things are quietening down, so you might as well wait – or so the theory goes.

I’ve noticed this idiosyncrasy over my many years in the recruitment industry, but while it seems like a good time to hold off on hiring, our experience tells us it can actually be one of the best times to get the process started.

Whether your organisation needs temps, contractors, or permanent employees, there are several compelling reasons why continuing to recruit up to the summer break may be one of the best hiring decisions you make this year.

1. It sets your business up for success early

We all know that 2024 hasn’t been the easiest year for Kiwi businesses, nor for job seekers. However, with inflationary pressures decreasing, the recent OCR cut, and numerous signs that our economy is slowly picking up, it seems reasonable to hope (dare we say expect?) that next year we’ll see an improvement in business confidence, economic performance, and a subsequent decrease in unemployment.

Due to these factors, many organisations have (unsurprisingly) held off or acted cautiously on hiring over the last six months, even when it comes to turnover replacement. There’s been a lot of scraping by and juggling of workloads, but many workforces are now feeling stretched thin or approaching burnout.

The expected uptick in business activity next year, combined with fewer resources on the ground, will likely make for a challenging first and second quarter in the context of plans for growth. For those who are keen to get ahead of the curve heading into 2025, hiring new employees now who will be ready to hit the ground running in January or early February could make all the difference.

You’ll avoid delays, for example due to long notice periods, as well as productivity dips at the beginning of the year due to lack of resources. Instead, your organisation will be in a better position to make the most of the first half of 2025. As a bonus, hiring early will also act as a positive indicator and morale boost for your current employees!

2. Onboarding is easier and more focused

On the topic of being work-ready, onboarding during the typically quieter pre/post-holiday periods can be beneficial for new hires, as well as for your team and business. A December or January induction allows for a more gradual and comprehensive introduction to the role, organisation, and culture.

With less pressure from everyday business demands, your team can dedicate more time to thoroughly welcoming new staff, allowing them to build a solid foundation and integrate with existing team members. Current employees also often have more availability for training and mentorship, which is especially valuable for any temp or contract hires who need to integrate quickly.

Overall, by onboarding at this time, your new hires are more likely to feel fully supported and truly ready to make a positive impact in your organisation. By the time business picks up in the first few months of the New Year, your new employees will be up to speed and contributing immediately to key projects.

3. More skilled and interim talent is available

The natural ebb in employment that happens at this time of year presents another opportunity for savvy organisations. It’s not unusual for talented contractors and experienced temporary staff to find themselves completing projects or contracts as we approach the holiday break.

Good temps, contractors, and project-based workers can be in high demand. The best interim talent is highly skilled, versatile, able to adapt quickly to new environments, and can deliver results efficiently – all of which are great attributes to add into your business.

Interim workers often manage their time so that they move from assignment to assignment without break – until the summer holidays. So if you’re likely to need additional short-term resources or niche skills in the first half of 2025, then this ‘lull’ ahead of the summer holidays is the perfect opportunity to secure the bests talent.

4. There’s less hiring competition

As mentioned earlier, we typically see hiring activity start to taper off at this time of year, with many companies slowing down or stopping their recruitment efforts. If you’re one of the few organisations to buck the trend, actively searching and hiring during this time, you have the unique advantage of positioning your organisation as a standout option for job seekers, and you face much less competition for top talent.

There are simply fewer roles around for the candidates in the market, so you’re not competing against a flood of other offers. By maintaining a visible and proactive recruitment strategy, you also reinforce your reputation as a forward-thinking employer.

Candidates recognise organisations that seize opportunities rather than waiting for “better” times, and this perception can make your roles more appealing to high-calibre professionals. It’s not just about filling roles, it’s about showcasing your business as a place that values initiative and planning.

5. The candidate talent pool is still active

While some people wait till the holiday break to make their New Year’s resolutions and plans, there’s still a large contingent of smart, motivated people who are already busy re-evaluating their career goals, reflecting on the year that’s been, and proactively looking for opportunities to make a fresh start in 2025. This is the type of exceptional talent you can reach when you continue hiring during this time of the year.

And an active candidate pool doesn’t necessarily mean an inbox overflowing with applications that you need to review either – that’s where the support of a great recruitment partner comes in.

These job seekers generally tend to be planners; they’re organised, deeply tapped into the market, and definitely not in slow-down mode in the lead up to the summer break. This creates a large, active pool of motivated talent, eager for change. I’m seeing this at Madison right now. While the job requests might be tapering off, enquiries from qualified candidates with great experience and in-demand skillsets have not.

If you know that you need people in your business next year, then now is exactly the right time to give yourself access to a vast talent pool of exceptional talent.

So don’t wait, start the process now! Let’s chat – no obligations, just solutions.