3 Reasons Why December is Not the Time to SlowdownPosted over 2 years ago by Nick Boulton

Ever Heard of December Slowdown? In Recruitment, this doesn't exist. Client Server CEO Nick Boulton gives 3 reasons why you should keep your foot on the pedal before the festivities begin.

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December lull? What December lull!
With the end of 2021, many people will wind down and bring this year to a natural close after the most tumultuous last 12 months. It’s been a roller-coaster ride of emotional ups and downs, but also one of the busiest markets.
Now is not the time to take your foot off the pedal. If you are hiring, the market is just as busy as it’s been all year.
January does not present the fresh start, with blank league tables offering endless opportunities and renewed optimism it used to. People are hard at work fulfilling those projects that have proved harder to deliver than ever. If your competitors take December lightly, why not take advantage of the reduced competition?
We are seeing no slowdown. In fact, we have new vacancies daily, with multiple clients urgently trying to get people hired. So just before you pull your Christmas jumper on and make a B-line for the festive punch, here are a few reasons to keep your foot on the pedal:

Candidates are still considering their options.
In this cold, bleak commercial world—money talks. Even more so with all the remote working, people feel less connected to their companies, and December is an expensive month. Salaries are crazy at the moment, so some candidates start mulling whether their current salary reflects their market value. Many others have already decided they are leaving, they are waiting for their year-end bonus before handing in their notice. But they still want to secure a new role before they do. And I know this might come as a shock, but it’s not always about money. Some candidates simply feel it is time for a new job with the dawn of the New Year. Plus, not everyone celebrates Christmas, and in this richly diverse world of cultures and religions, some recognise it but don’t celebrate it in the same way. We should acknowledge individual differences and keep the recruitment processes flowing to engage with these candidates. Every organisation wants to attract candidates that add diversity to its workforce.

Social media activity is at an all-time high this time of year.

In December, social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram are full of festive messages. This gives hiring organisations a unique opportunity to push their employer branding to a larger target audience that is more receptive than normal. It’s also a time when candidates start to reach out across these social media platforms to friends, colleagues, and clients. They are far more open to engagement.

Since when was recruitment part-time?
I have said it before many times, recruitment is tough. Every day you get out of bed, try to attract the best talent to fill some of the hardest roles in some of the most demanding organisations. It is a 12-month year job, not a 10-or-11-month! Nothing is more satisfying than sitting on the sofa on Christmas Eve, knowing that you have found some quality candidates, have others in the pipeline, and the New Year is off to an amazing start. What’s not to like?