A lot of people are looking for new jobs right now because of the pandemic and the economic knock-on effects that have happened due to it. When it comes to recruitment, it is important for both candidates and firms to be aware of the different recruitment cycles that can give them an edge.
Photo, Magnet.me.
There is no denying that January is one of the most popular months for recruitment, so in this post, let’s take a look at the different reasons why. There’ll also be some advice on how you can get ahead by using a specialist recruitment agency rather than using a general one. Also, if you’re looking to hire someone for temporary projects only, you should keep in mind that your best bet might be to hire freelancers who will get the job done at affordable rates.
January, a time for new beginnings: The main reason why the first quarter of the year is a busy period in terms of recruitment is that it is naturally a time for new beginnings. This is both from a personal and corporate perspective. For individuals, January represents the perfect time to start something afresh. People feel motivated and inspired. They are ready to reach their goals because the year ahead is full of hope and possibility. As a company, this is something you should be capitalising on, as you will have a much greater and more diverse pool of talent available.
There are a number of other reasons why January is a busy time for recruitment. We can also look at the corporate motivation for this. For example, new budgets begin in January, making it a logical time of the year to take on new staff. Moreover, the recruitment process can be handled much more efficiently at this time of year because staffers will be taking less time off work due to the fact that they have only just come out of the holiday season.
It is also believed that this is a great time of year for executive-level hiring as well. While you can hire people for executive positions at any time of the year, there are seasons whereby senior job searches are more active. The biggest uninterrupted time for search in this regard is from January through until the middle of June.
Hiring a specialist recruitment agency: As you can see, there are a number of reasons why January is a busy time of the year when it comes to recruitment. In order to take advantage of this, you need to act quickly, and this involves hiring a specialist recruitment firm. The keyword here is ‘specialist’; you need an agency that operates in your industry specifically, rather than aligning with one of the many general firms that are out there. Why? Well, let’s take a look at the reasons in further detail…
Photo, Dylan Ferreira.
Specialist industry knowledge: The main reason why you need to work with a specialist recruitment firm is that they live and breathe their chosen industry. Let’s say you offer AWS migration services, unlike general recruitment companies, specialist tech recruiters will understand exactly what you are looking for. They take the time to teach and train all of their staff members so that they know the industry inside out too. Their thorough understanding of the market means you can get straight to the point of discussing your recruitment requirements and you can have confidence that they know exactly what you are talking about.
Photo, Brooke Cagle.
Saves time: Another benefit associated with hiring a specialist recruitment firm is that it will save you a considerable amount of time. This is because of the fact that the company already has the required industry knowledge and they also have relationships with the candidates, which is something we will discuss in the next section. Therefore, while a general recruitment firm may have the ability to locate candidates, a specialist recruiter is going to be able to look at a CV and know whether or not the person has the required skills. They also know the right questions to ask before even getting to this stage.
This means you’re not going to have to spend time dealing with candidates who are not right for your position. This is a bigger problem than a lot of people realise when it comes to general agencies and job websites. Generic descriptions are used and people apply for each and every position, hoping they will strike lucky. This can be a nightmare for businesses, especially those seeking someone for a specialised position. Luckily, you don’t need to worry about this sort of headache with a specialist recruitment company.
They will already have relationships with the various candidates: Finally, another key benefit associated with a specialist recruitment firm is the fact that they will already have a pool of candidates, which have been carefully vetted and have the specific skills you need. These candidates will be organised onto a database with all of their critical information. This makes the job search easier and it increases the chances of the recruiter finding the right person for the position.
After all, finding the right candidate is not just about making sure they have the required skills and qualifications. It is also about making sure they are going to be a good fit for your company’s culture and that they are going to be happy working for you. Instead of spraying and praying with massed mail shots and other forms of mass advertising, a specialist agency has a much more targeted approach. They can get in touch with the right people from the moment you enlist their services.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why January is a popular time for recruitment. Nevertheless, it all comes down to the fact that it is time for new beginnings, from the start of your new budget to candidates looking for new opportunities. So, if you want to make the most of this time of the year, it’s important to use the services of an experienced recruiter that specialises in your field.
