The end of the year often comes with a unique set of recruitment challenges: November and December mark a time of reflection, planning, and often increased demand across many industries.

For hiring managers, ensuring that teams are resourced effectively during the festive season is key to hitting the ground running in January. Here are our top five resource planning tips to help you stay one step ahead and meet your recruitment goals.

1. Prioritise Roles Based on Business Needs

With limited time and resources in the lead-up to year-end, it’s essential to focus on filling high-impact roles first. Start by assessing which positions are critical to business objectives for Q1. Roles which contribute to immediate revenue generation, operational efficiency, or customer service, often top the list. By prioritising roles that align with core business goals, you can make recruitment efforts more focused and effective.

2. Plan for Temporary and Contract Hires

The holiday season can be a prime time to bring in temporary or contract staff. Whether it's covering annual leave or ramping up for seasonal demand, short-term hires offer flexibility and can help prevent burnout among permanent staff. Contract roles can also be a strategic solution for companies looking to assess talent without immediate long-term commitments.

3. Communicate Early with Your Team and Candidates

Clear, early communication with both internal teams and potential hires is crucial during this busy period. For teams, align expectations about who’s covering critical tasks and how recruitment efforts will be handled. When engaging candidates, be transparent about holiday schedules, potential delays, and onboarding timelines. Candidates who understand the process are more likely to stay engaged.

4. Leverage Data to Identify Gaps and Opportunities

Data-driven recruitment planning is more important than ever. Utilise insights from turnover trends, previous seasonal peaks, and workforce analytics to anticipate gaps. Analysing team structure and capacity will help you understand where shortfalls might occur and where demand will peak. This insight can be particularly valuable for anticipating roles which are harder to fill at the last minute.

5. Optimise Onboarding for December Starters

A well-structured onboarding process for December hires can make all the difference. Since these employees will join at a time when regular schedules may be disrupted, ensure they have a clear onboarding roadmap. Digital onboarding tools and pre-scheduled check-ins can keep new hires on track, even if team members are out of office. By setting expectations early, new employees can contribute effectively from day one.