When is the Best Time to Hire?

Your company has its own timeline of hiring needs. For example, your fiscal year will impact your timing. But seasonal trends are likely to line up with those needs much of the time. Take time to study the trends to give you an edge of hiring at the best possible time. This article discusses the considerations each time of year brings.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: November/December

There is some debate as to whether hiring this time of year is appropriate or even effective. One side of this debate is bolstered by the fact that so many people are out of the office for time off, it is unlikely that  all of the necessary departments involved in hiring will be in the office at the same time.

On the other hand, because schedules are more open and flexible during the holidays, it opens up the possibility for people to interview for new jobs without their current job noticing. This is crucial for those who feel that they would suffer in their current position if anyone found out they were seeking employment elsewhere.

Some companies skip end-of-year hiring altogether by promoting from within if there is a specialized role to be filled. They then save the task of hiring the lower-tier position for the new year.

Happy New Year: January/February

This is a sluggish time of year for hiring. And here are 3 reasons why:

1. Employees are trickling in from holiday leave, so the job search isn’t in full swing for those who plan to seek employment. Companies are posting job listings and planning to make decisions later in the year.
2. There isn’t a lot of pressure to fill roles quickly. That is, time is not a pressing issues.
3. Companies are settling into the new year budgets and directives. This adds to the slow pace of major decisions. 

Springtime: March/April/May

The new growth of Springtime is happening in the workplace! Spring sees a surge in employee dissatisfaction with current roles. People who had hoped the new year would bring changes are going to realize it did not. They will be looking to make a move. 

And for hiring managers, there will be no more leisurely waiting for the perfect candidate to come along, as in January. Companies who started posting job listings in the new year will be ready to make a decision and get that role filled quickly.

Spring is an especially busy time for hiring in any company that sees a surge in business during summer months. This includes hospitality and tourism as well as boat and other recreational vehicle sales.

Summertime Blues: June/July/August

Summer is a slow time for hiring unless a company sees an Autumn surge. So, this is the time where companies evaluate their mid-year budget and assess cost-cutting measures. That means that hiring and HR budgets are likely already spent. Summer is a time of waiting, watching, and evaluating trends.

Autumn: September/October

Autumn sees a hiring surge as companies prepare for the holiday retail spending spike. September slowly ramps up as Summer comes to an end. Companies assess their needs and plan to hire in the next two months. October is the busiest month for jobs posted to Linkedin.

Studies suggest that if you hire in the Fall, your employees will be adjusted and productive by the new year. 

There’s a chance that working against these seasonal trends and hiring during slower periods could work in your favor. So, there is always room to consider what is best for your company and how the trends could impact those needs. Regardless of the season, you can fill your roles and be informed of what to expect based on the time of year.