Most recruiters hit their recruitment in December and go, “Yeah, nothing’s happening till next year.” Or they just accept it when their client says – “I’m not resourcing that role now until January” or their candidate says “I’m going to look after the New Year”.

That’s exactly why, for every other recruiter out there that wants to keep going in December and set up their 2026, it’s the best time to make sh*t happen.

While everyone else is coasting, there’s money sitting in the cracks – fewer recruiters working roles, clients still trying to wrap things up and candidates quietly rethinking their next move before Christmas.

Here’s how to play it smart and finish the year strong – without burning yourself out before the break.

1. Educate Your Candidates (and Save Their January Panic)

Everyone thinks “I’ll start looking after Christmas.” Cool. So will everyone else.

That’s why you should be in your candidates’ ear now. Help them see the edge in securing a new role THIS side of the New Year:

• Less noise in the market: The market’s quieter, which means their CV actually gets seen.
• Happier clients: Decision-makers are easier to reach and often in a better mood.
• Clients do their business plans THIS year: Clients want to hit the ground running in 2026, fully resourced.
• Real rest: They can genuinely enjoy their break knowing a new gig’s waiting for them in Jan.

Use that in your recruitment in December messaging. You’re giving them genuine opportunity, peace of mind going into the break and less competition to secure what they are looking for.

2. Go After the “Must-Fill” Roles

December hiring isn’t dead. I have made some of my biggest months in December. Yes, there will be clients that don’t want to touch recruitment in December, but I can guarantee you, there’s plenty that just want to get it done & will appreciate your hustle.

This is what I’d ask the clients that are racing to lock in hires before budgets reset or they lose headcount:

• “What roles are you trying to close off before the holidays?”
• “Who do you want walking in on Day 1 in January?”
• “If you could get one position off your plate before you switch off, which one would it be?”

Their answers are your gold. These are the roles that you will be able to work on asap knowing that your client is going to have your back with and will work to your timelines on. As they want it done too.

The next question I would ask is – “what roles do you know you need to resource when you come back to the office in January?”.

This is such an important question to ask – as it not only lets you know what you will be working on when you get back to the office, but also allows you to set your marketing strategy for the break.

• Who you’ll be targeting when you get back.
• What adverts you might want to run.
• What scheduled EDMs you might want to send out.
• Any other marketing you might want to do.

If you want to hit the ground running when you get back in 2026, what better way to do so than already having candidates in your inbox for the roles you already know need them?

3. Reheat Old Leads

Remember that role that went dark a while back? Or the client who ghosted after you sent through that shortlist?

Now’s the time to hit them up. Vacancies that got shelved mid-year often resurface when managers realise they’re about to start the new year understaffed. And sometimes when there’s been a role where you got a little bit stuffed around, the hiring manager knows they owe you that little bit.

Quick, easy wins if you’re paying attention.

4. Ride the Festive Energy

Recruitment in December’s got its own rhythm and energy. People are often more open, chattier, festive and let’s be honest, already mentally half on holidays.

That’s an absolute gift for recruiters who know how to build relationships!

This is the perfect time to reconnect, check in and make yourself top of mind before everyone clocks off – with people who may be more open to have a good, relationship building chat.

This can also create a sense of urgency, because no one likes things hanging over their heads when they go on holiday. If you are the recruiter who steps in & offers support during this time, you can further strengthen your relationships.

Wrapping-Up (pun intended?)

You can either use December as an excuse to slow down – or as a window to build momentum while everyone else drinks champagne and eats cold prawns.

And its not about increasing your hustle, it’s about being strategic and intentional.

Educate your candidates. Find the “must-fill” roles. Be visible when others go quiet.

Then you can actually take your holiday break, fully relaxing – knowing that your December is strong and your January’s already sorted.