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Five Business Reasons to Hire in December and January

Many clients wonder if December is a good month to begin a search. They think that potential candidates are distracted by the holidays and sometimes, employers are too! Companies are surprised to learn that December through February are the best months to hire! Here are 5 reasons that indicate that hiring in early in the year is a sound business strategy.

1. Top performers are receptive to hear about a good opportunity. December is often viewed as a wrap-up month, where forward momentum stalls. Top performers view that slack time as missed career opportunity. Their frustrations intensify if budgets and projects for the upcoming year are hazy or still unplanned. As result, these go-getters are very receptive to hear about the exciting growth plans and fully-funded projects your company offers. In December and January, they welcome a call from a recruiter who has a great opportunity that solves their ‘New Year-New Job’ resolution.
2. Your company pays less to hire a candidate in the beginning of the year. December through February is bonus time. Once top performers get their year-end bonus, their incentive to stay is greatly reduced. As the year progresses and bonus amounts accumulate, later-in-the-year job offers usually pay for the bonus ‘lost’ at a previous company. Hiring early in the year lets your company capture efforts and rewards for working for your company, rather than paying for results that benefited another employer.
3. You get a jump start on your competition. Top performers are a select group. If your company wants top talent, then it’s a safe bet that your competitors are looking for that same person, too. Why wait? By contacting them early in the year, your company has the luxury of choosing from the ‘best of the best – while your competition is figuring out what to do.
4. You will capture an entire year of productivity. Do you have exciting new goals and strategies for your business that are waiting for the ‘right person’ to come on board? By hiring in January or February, your new hire is on the ground floor, moving these initiatives forward, resulting in increased revenue and company growth for an entire year.
5. It’s winter! Winter is a great time to recruit in Minnesota. Candidates are at their desk, not away at the lake or working reduced summer hours to be with the kids. Hiring managers are available for interviews, people are fired up for the New Year, and employed professionals are often just a phone call away from an exciting opportunity with YOUR company.

The Hiring Experts welcome your comments or questions about hiring trends or our professional search services. Visit our new website at www.thehiringexperts.com or call Marni at 952-593-4023 or Lissa at 952-941-8778. Our best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2008!