Comments on: ‘Tis the Season for Recruiting — 20 Reasons Why December Is a Powerful Recruiting Month

By: Nonprofits: Retaining Volunteers After Holiday | The YOakleyPR Blog

Nonprofits: Retaining Volunteers After Holiday | The YOakleyPR Blog — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:45:26 +0000

[...] ‘Tis the Season for Recruiting – 20 Reasons Why December Is a Powerful Recruiting Month [...]

By: Patti Green

Patti Green — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:42:11 +0000

This is a great article and just got my engine started. I have, historicaally, been of the school of thought that “nothing will happen in December”. One thing that I DO NOT understand is why the author does not support cold calling. How in the world else would you obtain top notch candidates or market them to prospective or current clients?

By: Scott Coffey

Scott Coffey — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:48:47 +0000

I hate to be the only negative person commenting but while there are many “hopeful” reasons why December “could” be a great month . . . in reality, it’s simply not the best time of year for anyone in the staffing/recruiting industry. There are many obstacles that exist only during this holiday season which creates additional challenges to the people management industry.

I don’t think most people would agree that they have “more time” during the month of December. Whether it’s shopping, social or family obligations, there is simply less time to get everything done. Simply trips to get normally every day things done take hours because of the long lines at every retail outlet. And as a recruiter for many years, this is the time when candidates generally “hold off” from their searches because they understand many employers are doing similar “holding off” on decisions until after the new year.

In addition, hiring managers generally have “less” free time to spend discussing candidates because much of their own staff uses December to take time off for family or simply because business slows down around the holiday. While it seems like a “slower” time, for those in charge of managing others it can easily create just as much stress as the July/August vacation months.

I’d very much like to believe that December can be even just as great as the other times of the year, but I have yet to see one that is.

By: 5 Best Recruitment Marketing Articles of the Week 12.1.12 to 12.7.12 « SmashFly Recruitment Marketing Technology Blog

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:53:20 +0000

[...] ‘Tis the Season for Recruiting – 20 Reasons Why December is a Powerful Recruiting Month by Dr. John Sullivan (@DrJohnSullivan) [...]

By: Shartia Huddleston

Shartia Huddleston — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:57:58 +0000

Dr. John I totally agree.

Employers should take advantage of scheduling interviews and new employee orientation with students during winter break so they won’t have the worries of missing class. Also a lot of candidates are in the midst of creating New Year resolutions and finding a new job just may be on top of the list!

By: N C

N C — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:21:49 +0000

Great article, but I there’s another big benefit – if your prospective candidate(s) will need to relocate, December is by far the best time to hire them. The added holiday time off will get them more time to make the move, get settled in, and come in on day one ready to give 100%. It can be irritating if you have to wait three to four weeks for a new employee to start work, but if the company will be less busy or out of the office during that time anyway, it’s a win-win situation.

And from the employee’s perspective, they can possibly use their year-end bonus from their previous position to front moving costs, and may have a bit longer to apartment/house hunt.

By: Rajpreet Heir

Rajpreet Heir — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:48:47 +0000

Jolly good. Thanks for acknowledging how “many recruiting managers are easily accepting of the weak excuse that “I can’t recruit because no one’s in the office.” What grinches. Can’t wait to share this article, it’s a well laid-out case which will no doubt benefit candidates and recruiters.

By: Keith Halperin

Keith Halperin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:42:07 +0000

@ Brian Kevin. Very sensible and practical.
However, it seems that being paid promptly and in full (for as long as possible) should typically be a recruiter’s #1 priority, and not just during the first three weeks of December, but all year round as well.

Cheers,
Keith

By: ‘Tis the Season for Recruiting — 20 Reasons Why December Is a Powerful Recruiting Month | DC Tech Recruiting

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:37:09 +0000

[...] ‘Tis the Season for Recruiting — 20 Reasons Why December Is a Powerful Recruiting Month Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. December 3, 2012 Leave a reply [...]

By: Brian Kevin Johnston

Brian Kevin Johnston — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:41:23 +0000

Winners always view December 1st as January 1st. This was/is a great article. The first 3 weeks in December should be your #1 priority if you want to win the war for talent.

By: Keith Halperin

Keith Halperin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:00:12 +0000

Thanks, Dr. Sullivan. This is one of those things (like freeways or using LinkedIn to recruit) that works really well as long as not too many people use it/do it. The more people who actually do as you suggest, the less effective the advantages will be for them.

Happy Holidays,

Keith

P.S. What’s a “strategic recruiting plan’ and what companies have them? Is it a fancy term for “headcount”? Lots of companies have those….

By: Bill Humbert

Bill Humbert — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:57:13 +0000

Dr. John, We are in the same pulpit! For years I have preached that this is the best time of the year to recruit – and to interview. When I was a contingent recruiter, I made most of my money in December and August (vacations). One of my candidates interviewed with one of my best clients during the morning of Dec. 24 and was invited to stay for the informal office potluck lunch. While she was eating, the Manager debriefed everyone who interviewed her. Then he asked her to come into his office one more time – and extended an offer to her. She called me Christmas night to tell me she had a Christmas present for me. She accepted the offer.

By: Mark Stephens

Mark Stephens — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:31:18 +0000

Another great article Dr John.
As a recruitment owner, I am continuously frustrated with recruiters sighting excuses for non performance and the Xmas one is the pick of the crop.

I wrote and posted this article on the subject just last week, that some of your readers might like to read, if they found this article interesting or useful.
Is December a good month to hire?
http://www.asktheexperts.org.uk/is-december-a-good-month-to-hire.html

Mark Stephens

By: Josh Tolan

Josh Tolan — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:56:40 +0000

This is a great list of reasons why you shouldn’t give up your recruitment efforts for the holiday season. After all, as you noted, good prospects will find themselves with more time in December. And despite the holiday rush it might actually be easier to schedule a meeting with a great candidate, whether the meeting is in person or through online video. The holidays are a hectic time, but they also might be just the time you need to find great people.

By: Recruiter Richards

Recruiter Richards — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:40:40 +0000

That’s a long list of good reasons, thanks.