The end of the year can sure have its excitements. It has been a busy year for most and generally this time of the year means a well-earned break, with time to rest, relax and reflect, spending much needed time with family and friends isn’t too far away. For us in the recruitment trade, however, it is also a good chance for us to continue delivering upon a successful year and use this as momentum to kick off the new year with a bang!
Sure, at this time of the year recruitment may not be as close as we’d like to a nice summer breeze. Candidates may not be aggressively job hunting until the new year, summer vacations can cause delays with face to face time and progression, and end of year events can impact appointments and schedules. So, here are some useful tips to ensure we find recruiting success during the summer season, finishing off the year well and setting up the next year even better.
Prepare to be flexible with appointments
It is important to be understanding and work around summer schedules. Many candidates will have holidays planned across summer, which could include family activities with kids, events with friends or work-related gatherings amongst many other potential pre-existing arrangements. Showing empathy around such appointments will establish a better connection with your candidates, through working with them to make a time work suitable for themselves. This can also make them feel valued that there is interest around their capabilities through being flexible and waiting for a time to meet that works for them. Great candidates are worth the wait, so if some flexibility is required to ensure you garner and reserve their interest. It is highly advantageous to be flexible with them.
Get on the front foot with Summer jobhunters
Summer can be a period for candidates, who have not otherwise had the chance during busier periods of the year, to take some time to reflect on their current circumstances and ponder what else might be out there. Having this added time for reflection and exploration, summer can be prime time for them to join the job hunt. If candidates are taking the time to express interest and explore the market, work with them to keep things moving and keep their motivation to explore options high. Not being proactive in this space could see candidates return to norm following the close of the summer period and lose the drive to explore new options, opting to settle back into their current arrangements instead.
Get yourself and your recruitment processes organised and well managed
The summer season can also be utilised as a great way to pick up the slack on what might have dragged a little behind during other periods of the year. If you find you have increased time for yourself during the day, use this as time to get yourself organised, ensure everything is up to date and put yourself in a good position come the new year. This might include tidying up your database, your inbox, or your desk, whatever it is that might need a refresh so that when the summer holiday goers return to work, and the market pushes the throttle back into full force, you are organised and ready to go and starting on the front foot!
Capitalise on recent graduates
Summer means there is going to be an influx of new skilled labour into the market, through both completely new workers who have completed new qualifications, training, courses, certificates etc or existing personnel in the workforce who have complete recent studies to upskill their current capabilities. Although the search may require finding someone with long term shown experience, the summertime will add more qualified candidates into the market and it is important to not overlook those who have just obtained the relevant tertiary/study requirements. These candidates could certainly still be the right fit for the roles and coming off the back of recently completed studies, be showing increased motivation and eagerness to perform and go above and beyond in the industry.
Whilst many might be taking a much-needed break, kicking their feet up for the summer, this season presents itself as a chance for recruiters to take advantage of reduced competition. So, to maximise your output, and really set yourself up for a successful summer season (and continual success moving forward), reflect on your own recruitment strategy and consider how some of the above tips can be of benefit to you.
