As November and December approach, search committees often consider how the holiday season may affect their recruitment processes. Human Resource Services (HRS) frequently hear from departments that they prefer to wait until after the New Year to post vacant positions. However, this may not be the most effective recruitment strategy for several reasons:

  1. Job Seekers Remain Active: While some applicants may take a break from job searching during the holidays, many are still actively seeking new opportunities.
  2. Reduced Competition: Although some employers choose to pause or slow their recruitment efforts during this time, you can take advantage of the decreased competition by continuing your hiring process.
  3. Increased Job Postings in January: Delaying recruitment until the New Year means facing heightened competition. As many employers post new positions at that time, it may be more challenging to stand out, even with paid advertising.

While holiday schedules may influence your recruitment timeline—based on individual holidays and the availability of search committee members—proactive planning and communication with candidates can mitigate risks to your recruitment efforts. Your HRS Service Team and HRS Talent Acquisition are available to discuss your recruitment timeline and strategy.

A legitimate reason to postpone a recruitment during the holidays, is if the search committee cannot execute the process in a timely manner. For instance, if the recruitment is scheduled to close to new applications on December 16 but the search committee cannot review applications and identify candidates for interviews until January 3, HRS Talent Acquisition recommends delaying the recruitment process. Allowing applications to sit for three weeks does not support an effective or successful recruitment process. The search committee should be able to meet and identify interview candidates within one week of the posting close date.

With proper planning and communication, it is possible to conduct an effective and success recruitment during the holidays.

For further inquiries regarding recruitment processes, best practices, or challenges, please contact your HRS Service Team or HRS Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruitment@wsu.edu. We are dedicated to assisting you in making informed decisions that align with your team’s needs.

Content Credit: Bonnie Wilmoth, Human Resource Services Talent Acquisition Manager