Why December Might Be the Best Time to Find Your New Year Staff (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

The Christmas period is here (already) lights are up, out-of-office emails are starting to appear, and for many businesses, hiring drops straight to the bottom of the priority list.

And we get it.

December seems like the worst time to recruit.
Job boards go quiet.
Candidates stop applying.
And suddenly the panic for January staffing starts creeping in.

But here’s the truth… December might actually be the perfect month to sort your New Year hires.

At Austin Banks Recruitment, as a leading recruitment agency, we hear from lots of businesses every year, regarding the hiring struggles and trends they face. To honour our commitment to businesses, we feel best to always be transparent and offer as much support as we can, so that’s what were going to do within this article.

In this article we will uncover why hiring slows in December, what’s really happening behind the scenes in the candidate market, and how your business can use this quieter time to get ahead, instead of falling behind in the January rush.

So, Why Does Hiring Feel Impossible in December?

It’s not that candidates aren’t interested in new roles, it’s more about timing.

Here’s why the job market naturally slows down:

Long Notice Periods - Lots of candidates want a fresh start in January, so they wait to hand in their notice later in the month.
Bigger Personal Priorities - Christmas shopping, family commitments, and end-of-year deadlines take centre stage.
Pay Dates & Bonuses - Many people choose to wait until after December pay or bonuses before making a move.

So yes, job boards do get quieter.
But no, that doesn’t mean candidates aren’t open to opportunities.

And this is exactly where businesses often misunderstand the market.

The “Don’t Bother Hiring in December” Myth

You’ve probably heard it before:

“There’s no point trying to hire in December. No one is looking.”

But that’s not true at all.

Candidates are looking, they’re just not applying publicly.

They’re browsing.
They’re thinking.
They’re planning their next move for the new year.

And while they’re quietly exploring their options, this becomes a huge opportunity for employers who decide not to wait until January.

What’s Really Happening: The Best Candidates Aren’t on Job Boards

Here’s a little-known fact:

Only around 20–30% of candidates are actively applying for roles. (Source)
The rest are passive candidates, people who would move for the right role but aren’t actively searching.

And in December, this group becomes even more important.

Passive candidates are often:

still open to quiet conversations,
thinking about how they want the new year to look, and
more responsive to being approached, because they’re not juggling job applications.

This is why businesses relying solely on job boards struggle in December.
They’re fishing in the smallest pool.

How Austin Banks Recruitment Supports Your New Year Staffing Plans

At Austin Banks Recruitment, we make December hiring simple, because we don’t rely on job boards alone.

We’ve already built a database of over 5,000 pre-screened candidates across the UK.
These are individuals we’ve already spoken to, checked, and know are open to new opportunities.

That means:

you get CVs to review even when the market is quiet,
interviews can be booked before the January rush,
and your team can start the new year fully staffed, not scrambling.

And if the perfect person isn’t already in our database?
No problem.
We use specialist headhunting tools to reach passive candidates who aren’t applying online.

Our goal is to make recruitment feel like a partnership, not a pressure.

How Can You Use December to Get Ahead?

If you know you’ll need staff in January or early 2026, now is the time to act.

Here are a few ways you can make the most of the quieter month:

Start Planning for the New Year

December is the perfect time to do what we call a business audit.

Take a look over what worked this year, what could have been better, what are the business goals for the new year and what gaps do we need to fill to achieve this.

By doing this it gives you a clear look on what staff you may need to look at employing, and this leads us onto the next step…

Assess Your Upcoming Staffing Needs

Ask yourself:

What roles will we need filled in January?
Who is leaving or progressing internally?
What skills will help us start 2026 strong?

A bit of planning now saves a lot of stress (and money) later.

Review Job Descriptions and Requirements

December is a great time to refresh outdated job descriptions, review salaries, and evaluate what kind of candidate you actually need.

A clear brief = faster, better hiring.

Let Recruiters Source Candidates While You Focus on the Year-End

While you’re wrapping up budgets, reports, and Christmas orders, we’re speaking to candidates, checking availability, and preparing shortlists.

So when January arrives, you’re ready, not rushed.

Line Up Interviews

Many businesses try to book interviews mid-to-late January.
By then, the competition is fierce.

Booking early gives you:

the best candidates,
before they get multiple offers
without the January chaos.

December Isn’t a Hiring Dead Zon, It’s a Hidden Advantage

While everyone else waits for January, you could already have interviews booked, offers prepared, and your team ready for the new year.

At Austin Banks Recruitment, we’re here to support you every step of the way, without the fluff, faff, or false promises.

If staffing for the new year is on your mind, now’s the time to take action.

Looking to Get Ahead of Your 2026 Hiring?

Let’s make December work in your favour.

Call us - 01302 822228

Email Us - office@austinbanks.co.uk

And if you’d like more support navigating the market, planning ahead, or accessing our candidate pool, we’re always here to help.

Let’s make next year your strongest yet.

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