Every year, as we slide into Q4, companies start thinking January is the “real” time to hire. But here’s the truth: the smartest teams are moving now. If you’re waiting until after the holidays, you may already be behind, kind of like showing up to the airport when your flight is already taxiing.
Here’s why:
💰 Your 2025 budget expires soon — use it before you lose it.
Think of it as the corporate version of “use the gift card before it mysteriously has a $0 balance.” If you know you’ll need that role filled early next year, making the move now protects your budget and accelerates your timeline.
🎯 Candidate availability is better right now.
Year-end is when top talent looks around and thinks, “Is this the job I want to toast to at midnight?” People naturally reflect on their careers during the holidays. They’re more reflective, more open, and, let’s be honest, more available when half their team is on PTO.
📈 January brings heavier competition.
January is basically Black Friday for hiring. Everyone rushes in at once, it gets loud, and someone always misses out on their first pick. More applicants plus more companies hiring almost always equals more competing offers.
🚀 Getting a jump start now puts you ahead of the pack.
Kick off interviews now and you’ll start the new year with momentum instead of scrambling through the January hiring traffic jam.
If you’re thinking about adding to your communications, marketing, or PR teams in early 2026, now is the ideal time to start the search, not after the ball drops.
Happy hiring season. Let’s make the most of it.
Singh Hecht Executive Search is a national boutique search firm specializing in the areas of marketing, public relations, and communications.