Christmas comes but once a year and for most recruiters than can be a relief. A nice long week or two off and let’s face it, most of the “professional services” world also switches its phone off for the festive period in its entirety.
However, this jolly and jovial time of year can have a major impact on revenue generation, certainly for December. Plenty of employers will defer start dates to Jan (hopefully a bonanza month for all perm recruiters!) once November has passed as few prefer to start people in the month of December.
How can recruiters take advantage of this 4-6 week period to ensure that their tenacity and efforts are rewarded yet whilst respecting the wishes of their clients. And more importantly, how can you ensure you fill Jan with plenty of pipeline for success?
Make hay (or should that be straw from the manger?)
By the time you read this blog, you may already be mentally on the countdown to Xmas. But stop! You still have enough time to think about which candidates you can place even before Santa dusts off his sleigh- non workers, those on shorter notice periods: be brazen with your clients. Those who can start before Xmas can have an advantage in knowing their role, introducing them to clients, getting them to research over the holidays.
Plan ahead NOW
Where are you going to get your business from in January? Plan your calls and visits now- book up your January calendar with client meetins f2f. It gives you a plan of action and means you are one step ahead of your competition for the New year who may struggle to get time in the clients diary if they leave that call til Jan!
Write your business plan for the year ahead- career goals, developmental needs: book in that appraisal with your boss. Set yourself stretching and achievable targets. These can always be reviewed after you return from your Xmas break.
Tickle it along at twixmas
Should activity need to occur during the Xmas break and both parties are happy for this to happen, encourage them to do so during the Twixmas period as this can often mean that both are raring to crack on once everyone is “back properly”. This could mean the difference between creating quick revenue for Jan and just letting is dwindle away. Push right to the end for decisions and get all paperwork completed, signed and returned before Xmas post (problems) ensue!
Spread the joy of Christmas present
December is the perfect time to get out and see your clients! Deliver your Christmas cards, drop off whisky and the like to your top customers. Show them that their business means more than just you sending an invoice. The human factor is prominent during the most festive of all the months, so drop your guard and show your fun side. But be professional at all times.
Refrain from joining the “Ah it all goes dead” and maintain the mantra that meetings can take place, it is much easier for candidates to get our for longer lunches or book time off (Xmas shopping/clients drinks etc) so maintain full steam ahead until Xmas Eve!
And finally, don’t beat yourself up. If you follow all the above advice, it should set you up for a productive few weeks as we head into the most fun time of year on the calendar and more importantly, ensure you return in Jan with strong activity.
Wishing you all a wonderful pre festive season and remember to enjoy yourselves along the way!
