What Is The Best Time to Start Hiring for the New Year?
For Employers & Hiring Managers Depending on the industry of course, but every year, we see certain customers with the same challenge: they want to hit the ground running in January, but they wait too long to start recruiting. Then, by the time the new year comes around, they are in a panic, scrambling to…
For Employers & Hiring Managers
Depending on the industry of course, but every year, we see certain customers with the same challenge: they want to hit the ground running in January, but they wait too long to start recruiting. Then, by the time the new year comes around, they are in a panic, scrambling to find the right staff.
If your business can plan early, you can reduce your downtime and retain the good staff, which means you need to time your recruitment strategy better.
We’ve answered some of the questions employers ask us most at this time of year, based on what we see every single December and January, so we thought we’d share them with you.
So if you are one of those industries that have a busy January, take away these tips:
When is the best time to hire for the new year?
From our experience, the best time to hire for a January or early February start is November through mid December. This window allows you to move before the market becomes overcrowded, giving candidates time to complete interviews and onboarding without pressure.
During this period, job seekers are open to conversations, their competition is lower, and businesses have a better chance of securing stronger talent. Even if a candidate can’t start until after the holidays, you have confirmation to avoid the January scramble.
Is January a busy time for recruitment in Australia?
Yes! January is one of the busiest months for recruitment across almost every industry. People re-consider their jobs over the break and their budgets.
Workloads in certain industries rise within the first week of January. Meaning employers are all trying to hire at the same time, creating a demand for the same pool of candidates.
When demand is high like this, the best candidates disappear quickly. That’s why early planning matters.
Should businesses begin hiring before or after the Christmas break?
Start before Christmas, this lets you:
- Secure candidates before other employers begin their search
- Plan onboarding, inductions, and medicals before the rush.
- Reduce downtime when operations restart in the new year.
- Give candidates clarity around start dates.
Many companies assume December is quiet, but to be honest, December is often the most successful time to secure, because businesses are thinking ahead rather than reacting under pressure.
Why do companies struggle to secure talent early in the year?
Budget approvals often reset in January, and it can take time before roles are officially signed off. Hiring managers return from leave at different times, and this slows progress. At the same time, candidates can receive multiple offers almost immediately after the holidays, especially in technical and operational roles.
Inductions, compliance checks, and onboarding processes can also push start dates further out. This all creates delays that are completely avoidable if planned earlier.
Why does recruitment slow down in December but spike in January?
December often feels slow because business priorities move toward end of year deadlines, stocktakes, pre-Christmas deliveries, buttoning things up, and holiday leave. Hiring managers are too busy to think about the next month, and approvals sometimes pause until the new year.
However, candidates are still active; they’re reflecting on their year, considering new opportunities, and preparing for change.
The last thing any business needs is every employer is competing for the same candidate pool!
How do we avoid losing candidates in January?
One of the biggest reasons employers lose candidates in January is slow hiring processes. When candidates receive multiple offers, delays can lead to it being too late to secure.
Some tips make a huge difference:
- Shorten your interview process where possible.
- Keep candidates updated regularly.
- Move quickly when you find a strong fit.
- Give clarity around start dates and onboarding steps.
- Ensure pay rates and conditions reflect market expectations.
- Speed and communication are the two factors that keep candidates engaged.
How can businesses prepare for staff shortages in January?
January staff shortages are very common, but we believe they are also preventable. Some things to consider:
- Review your workforce needs early and look ahead at project timelines, production schedules, and workloads.
- Build a candidate pool before the holiday break, even if you don’t hire immediately; having talent ready saves weeks.
- Prepare onboarding ahead of time and organise medicals, inductions, site access and training calendars before the break.
- A proactive approach keeps your operations stable and removes the stress that often comes with hiring in the new year.
January is one of the most competitive times, so when businesses plan early, communicate clearly and move decisively, they attract and retain talent and avoid unnecessary pressure that comes with recruiting in the new year.
If you’re looking ahead and want support filling roles, we are here to help you prepare for a smooth and productive start to the year.
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