The right people in the right seats now – why recruitment is key at this time of year
As we approach the end of October, many organisations start to shift focus towards wrapping up projects, planning celebrations and preparing for the holiday period. But at MJD Recruitment, we’re seeing a growing number of businesses do something different – they’re prioritising hiring now rather than waiting for January.
It’s something we’re doing internally too – reviewing our own structure, refining position descriptions, and ensuring we’re set up for success in 2026. It’s a strategic move, and one we see the most forward-thinking clients making at this exact time of year.
Why? Because delaying recruitment until January often means losing the first quarter to hiring and onboarding, when that time could have been spent driving growth and performance.
According to our data from 2024–2025, roles briefed in November are 32% faster to fill and experience a 20% higher retention rate than those briefed in January. Acting now pays off.
Why hiring before the holidays makes sense
1. Get ahead – onboard now and start 2026 strong
Recruiting and onboarding in November or December allows new hires to settle in during a naturally more relaxed time of year. It’s a great period to introduce them to the culture, team, and processes without the pressure of peak workloads. When January rolls around, they’re already confident, trained, and ready to deliver. Waiting until the new year means many won’t start until February and won’t hit full stride until closer to May.
2. Protect team morale and prevent burnout
We regularly hear from office support professionals who end the year feeling stretched thin — covering workloads for unfilled roles or colleagues on leave. If those gaps aren’t addressed now, you risk losing great people to burnout or disengagement over summer. Filling critical roles before Christmas helps maintain morale, workload balance, and ensures your team starts 2026 energised rather than exhausted.
3. Stand out while others slow down
Many employers pause hiring in November and December which means less competition for top talent. Candidates who are still active now tend to be motivated, decisive, and serious about finding the right fit. By contrast, those who wait until January face a crowded market where standout candidates often have multiple offers in play.
4. Attract more intentional candidates
Candidates searching at this time of year are rarely acting on impulse. They’ve reflected on their current roles, considered their long-term goals, and made a deliberate decision to move. This often translates to higher engagement and stronger alignment – the kind of hires who stay and grow with your business.
The current market and what we’re seeing
The office support market remains active, with a mix of both permanent and temporary opportunities available. Candidates continue to rank feeling valued, career development, and culture as their top motivators – far above flexibility or salary alone. We’re also seeing an uplift in temporary-to-permanent placements, as businesses use the final quarter to trial support talent ahead of 2026 budget cycles.
Ready to future-proof your team?
Now is the ideal time to assess your support structure and set your business up for a productive new year. Acting before the Christmas break ensures your team starts 2026 focused on performance – not playing catch-up.
At MJD Recruitment, office support isn’t just what we do, it’s all we do. We specialise in connecting organisations with exceptional EAs, PAs, Legal Assistants, Office Managers and Administrators who keep operations running seamlessly.
📞 Contact us on (02) 8042 1840 or email info@mjdrecruitment.com.au to discuss how we can help you secure the right people before the year wraps up.
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Source: Why Hiring Office Support Staff Before Christmas Puts Businesses Ahead | LinkedIn Post
