Hiring the right talent during the holiday season can take time as the festive mood sets in, and candidates are less likely to be available for interviews.
Posting job openings, finding talent, and interviewing can be challenging, as recruitment agencies might also be on a long break.
So, what best works for hiring the right talent during Christmas? Here are six key tips for an effective Christmas holiday hiring.
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1. Avoid Assumptions
Yes, Christmas enthusiasts would be shopping, dancing, booking tickets for a travel experience, or even having a chilled-in family time. But that does not mean they aren’t job searching. Remember that it’s not the entire universe that celebrates Christmas. Don’t hollow your thoughts into assumptions. While holidaying, job seekers also scroll through their phones, so meet them at rest. Some job seekers are apt to grab an interviewing opportunity even in their celebrations. If you can’t reach them via phone, choose emails; if not, post the opening on their go-to social media. Just avoid assuming job seekers aren’t ready to apply in December. Think of it this way: your company and the vast other competitors compete to see who has the strongest rope pull and can get the best talent aboard. Slacking is not an option. Either grab the talent now or leave it to your competitor.
2. Post early
As common as it is, avoid posting job openings late. On the premise of no assumption, start posting openings in November and early December. Don’t lose any fish from the net. Posting early in November and December gives room for applications and enough time for sorting talents. Although businesses would be closing their books, leave the space for this period to hire.
Please stop considering posting openings in January. January is the busiest month, and other businesses flood their openings on every media outlet, plausibly pushing your opening into the “we are hiring now” category.
Consider posting on recruitment platforms like Jobberman to make posting and finding the talents in time more manageable. Platforms like Jobberman give employers a pool of talents to select from.
Also, to have a smooth, well-organised interview process and leave a positive impression on candidates, show gratitude to the job seekers for coming in during the festive season.
Meet with your talent acquisition team before the holiday season to refine each stage, clarify roles, and eliminate unnecessary steps.
3. Manage your expectations
You should manage your expectations as much as you’d want to avoid assumptions when hiring in the festive season. Don’t expect quick email replies; refrain from calling applicants on Christmas day. They might be having a fabulous off-season and barely would read your email.
Don’t assume they are desperately searching; hence, any goes. Also, although only some celebrate Christmas, as earlier mentioned, it is a public holiday. Expectations of reaching job seekers on this day are narrow.
If you must contact a candidate and know they’re okay with holiday communication, keep your message brief, clear, and considerate. Prioritise their holiday experience while maintaining professionalism.
4. Be creative
Be creative with your emails in this festive season. Adjust your messaging to be compelling to increase the opening rate. Balance the festive holiday cheer with clear communication that will engage job seekers and make the recruitment process enjoyable for everyone involved. Here’s how to get creative;
Automate Festive Greetings:
Use email templates with warm, cheerful messages to acknowledge applications or follow-ups while keeping the tone light and holiday-themed.
Offer Flexible Schedules:
Adjust deadlines or interview times to accommodate both candidates and your team’s holiday plans.
Craft emails that job seekers will read:
Write an Eye-Catching Subject Line. Example: “Join Us in 2024! Your Perfect Role Awaits”. Keep it short, exciting, and relevant in busy inboxes.
Begin with a Personal Greeting:
Create a personalised email addressing the candidate by name and interest.
Keep the Message Festive and Positive:
Open with a Christmas greeting, such as “Merry Christmas! Your Christmas gift is in!”
Highlight the Job Opportunity:
Briefly outline the role and why they can’t miss it. Include key benefits that enthuse with the Christmas spirit, such as a flexible work environment.
Include a clear Call to Action, such as, “We’d love to schedule a quick conversation before the holidays. Please let us know when you are available.”
Add a Festive Closing:
Conclude with a festive message, like “Wishing you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. We look forward to hearing from you.”
5. Don’t Overburden Your Recruitment Team
To maintain a festive yet efficient hiring process, focus on gestures that boost morale without adding extra workload.
Automate Festive Greetings:
Use email templates with warm, cheerful messages to acknowledge applications or follow-ups while keeping the tone light and holiday-themed.
Offer Flexible Schedules:
Adjust deadlines or interview times to accommodate both candidates and your team’s Christmas plans.
Hiring the right talent during the holiday season may come with challenges, but it also presents unique opportunities to stand out and secure top candidates. You can make the process seamless and practical by avoiding assumptions, posting job openings early, managing expectations, and adding a creative touch to your outreach.
Visit Jobberman Ghana to manage your talent search this festive season seamlessly.
