Why Companies Should Hire During the Holidays
While most companies hit pause on hiring between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, forward-thinking HR leaders know the truth: the holiday season is one of the best times to recruit top talent.
Sound counterintuitive? It’s not. While your competitors are waiting until January to post their openings, you have a unique opportunity to attract quality candidates, move quickly, and start 2026 with a fully-staffed team ready to hit the ground running.
Here’s your complete guide to successful holiday hiring – without the stress.
Why Holiday Hiring Actually Works
- Less Competition, More Opportunity
Think about it: when most companies pause their hiring efforts, your job postings stand out. Candidates aren’t drowning in opportunities, which means they’re more likely to notice your opening and give it serious consideration. You’re not competing with dozens of other employers for the same talent.
- Motivated Candidates Are Actively Looking
Contrary to popular belief, many professionals are actively job searching during the holidays. Some are motivated by year-end bonuses they’re about to receive, making them free to make a move. Others are setting New Year career goals and want to start fresh in January. Many are simply taking advantage of holiday downtime to update their resumes and explore new opportunities.
- Faster Hiring Timelines
Candidates often have more flexible schedules during the holidays. They’ve used PTO, have lighter workloads, or have time between jobs. This means they’re more available for interviews-even on short notice. You can move through your hiring process faster than any other time of year.
- Start 2026 Ready to Execute
Hiring in December means onboarding in early January. While competitors are just starting to post jobs, you’re already training your new hire. That’s a 4-6 week head start on your business goals.
5 Strategies for Successful Holiday Hiring
1. Streamline Your Interview Process
Now is not the time for five rounds of interviews. Combine steps where possible:
- First round: Phone screen (30 minutes)
- Second round: Virtual or in-person interview with hiring manager and one key team member (60 minutes)
- Final round: Brief meeting with leadership or team introduction
Can you make a hiring decision in two steps instead of four? December is the time for this.
2. Be Flexible with Scheduling
Your candidates (and your hiring team) are juggling holiday commitments. Offer flexibility:
- Early morning interviews (7-8 AM)
- Lunch-hour meetings
- Late afternoon/early evening slots
- Mix of virtual and in-person options
Send calendar invites immediately and confirm 24 hours in advance. Holiday schedules change quickly.
3. Speed Up Your Decision-Making
The biggest mistake companies make during holiday hiring? Taking too long to decide. In January, a candidate might wait a week for your offer. In December, they’ll accept another offer in 48 hours.
Create urgency in your process:
- Debrief immediately after interviews
- Make decisions within days
- Extend offers quickly (within 2-3 business days of final interview)
- Be prepared to negotiate and close fast
4. Communicate Proactively
Many hiring processes stall in December because someone goes on PTO without warning. Prevent this:
- Tell candidates upfront if there will be any delays due to holiday schedules
- Assign backup contacts if the hiring manager will be out
- Set clear expectations on timeline
- Send a “happy holidays” message if there’s a natural pause in the process
Transparency builds trust and keeps candidates engaged.
5. Partner With a Staffing Expert
Here’s the reality: your HR team is already stretched thin during the holidays. Between year-end tasks, managing PTO requests, and their own time off, adding urgent hiring to the mix is overwhelming.
This is where a staffing partner becomes invaluable. At ABR Employment Services, we:
- Handle the time-consuming sourcing and screening
- Present you with pre-vetted, qualified candidates
- Work around your holiday schedule
- Move quickly to secure top talent before competitors
- Manage the logistics while you focus on final decisions
We specialize in fast, quality placements – exactly what you need during the holiday crunch.
The Bottom Line
Holiday hiring isn’t just possible – it’s strategic. While your competitors are taking their foot off the gas, you can accelerate ahead. Less competition, motivated candidates, faster timelines, and a head start on 2026 goals make December one of the smartest times to recruit.
The key is having the right support system in place. You don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to make your best hires of the year – before the year ends?
ABR specializes in connecting companies with top talent quickly, even during the busiest season. Let us handle the heavy lifting of sourcing, screening, and presenting qualified candidates while you focus on making final decisions and enjoying the holidays. Your future team members are out there right now – let’s find them before your competitors do.
About ABR Employment Services
For over 35 years, ABR has been connecting companies with exceptional talent across Wisconsin. We understand the unique challenges of holiday hiring and specialize in fast, quality placements that set our clients up for success. Whether you need temporary staff for seasonal demands or permanent hires to start the new year strong, we’re here to help.
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