Why the new year is the best time to hire

The start of a new year is rife with opportunities—and the hiring landscape is no different. Leaders and decision-makers are presented with a prime time to uplevel their recruitment strategies and build a top-notch team.

Fortunately, the job market is currently teeming with professionals setting new goals and searching for their next career-defining step. In fact, our Talent Trends report revealed that 41% of workers are either considering or already actively looking for a new job.

Read on to learn why hiring in January and February is a smart, strategic move and what you can do to secure the talent you need.

Wider applicant pool

The new year is often defined by reflection as people determine what they want and don’t want. The same is true of workers as they evaluate their career choices and, in some cases, chart a new course.

As a result, a surge of fresh talent hits the job market, increasing the number of skilled applicants responding to your job ads. For candidates who have already been active on the market, job seekers typically return to the search after the holidays refreshed and resolved to find the best opportunity.

New budgets, new goals, new vacancies

As the new year begins, many teams and businesses set out new objectives, from building sales forecasts and project pipelines to securing funding and evaluating key roles.

This fresh start is fertile ground for hiring. With a clearer idea of your goals, you can clearly articulate them to candidates and find the person who can help you achieve them, leading to more effective recruitment processes.

Adapting to new technology

The rapid acceleration of certain workplace technologies (AI, for example) has motivated both employers and employees to evaluate their capabilities. In the fall of 2024, AI hiring outpaced overall hiring by 30%, increasing more than 300% globally over the last eight years.

In the new year, businesses are assessing their adoption of AI tools, while candidates upskill to reflect the fast-moving landscape and appeal to employers.  For firms that want to stay ahead of the technological curve in the following twelve months, being among the first to attract AI-proficient workers will prove beneficial.

Best recruitment strategies

Build trust through transparency

In uncertain economic times , candidates may be more reluctant to move jobs. Remaining open and honest during every stage of the hiring process is critical to building trust with candidates and ultimately securing one of your top choices. 

Create holistic, candidate-driven offers

Today’s professionals are looking for more than just competitive salaries. Instead, other factors also rank high on their priority list, most notably, healthcare (52%), financial incentives (50%), and work-life balance initiatives (45%), according to our research.

Use accurate salary data

Our Talent Trends report revealed that 54% of professionals prioritize higher salaries when accepting or applying for a new role.  Ensure you’re offering enough to attract top candidates using salary benchmarking tools like our 2025 Salary Guides.

2025 Salary Guide

Work with the experts

If you’d like more tailored guidance, we can help. At Michael Page, our recruitment consultants work with businesses like yours year-round to secure the best talent on the market. Upload your job description or start a conversation about your hiring needs.