Welcome to winter in Agriculture; the rush of harvest is over and you would like nothing more than a few weeks to regroup before prepping for next year. As you are looking to add someone to your team for the upcoming season, you’ll benefit from starting the process sooner than later. December and January are peak times to hire in our industry.
Take advantage of the many reasons this month is the time to start.
Candidates aren’t as busy as you think.
One misperception I typically hear is that candidates aren’t actively looking for jobs during the winter months. It is often assumed that they are busy with winding down tasks at their current jobs, focusing on family commitments, planning vacations, and preparing for the holidays. However, this assumption couldn't be further from the truth. In the agriculture industry, most employees respect their employers and are committed to seeing their harvest through before considering any job changes. Similarly, candidates from other industries, such as construction, are also wrapping up their year-end projects and may be open to exploring new opportunities.
Contrary to popular belief, this time of year is actually a prime period for job seekers to evaluate their career paths and seek out better options. AgHires.com experiences a significant increase in website traffic during December and January compared to the rest of the year. This surge in activity indicates that candidates are actively searching for new job opportunities, making it an ideal time for agricultural businesses to capitalize on this pool of potential talents.
Things are slower for you.
You’re hopefully enjoying a slower pace post-harvest. This is the time of year when you can finally catch your breath after the rush of harvest season. The fields are quiet, the machinery is at rest, and you have a moment to reflect on the past year's accomplishments. It's a time to regroup, recharge, and refocus for the year ahead.
It's a perfect time to hire for the upcoming season. Waiting too long to hire can leave you rushed and pressed for time, with limited opportunities to be selective in finding the right candidate. The worst-case scenario is settling for someone just to have a warm body and fill a seat because you're too overwhelmed with other responsibilities.
However, in winter, you have the luxury of time on your side. With the slower pace, you can dedicate more hours to speaking with potential candidates, and thoroughly evaluating their skills, experience, and cultural fit. This extra time allows you to pay attention to the details, reducing the chances of making a wrong hire that could have repercussions throughout the busy season.
By starting the hiring process now, you can ensure that you have a well-rounded pool of candidates to choose from. You won't have to compromise on quality just because you're in a rush. Instead, you can take your time, conduct thorough interviews, and make a decision that aligns with your business goals and values.
Less competition.
Yes, it’s still a secret this is the best time to hire! According to a Manpower Group survey, 80% of employers aren’t hiring in December which means you can take advantage of this time when the market for candidates is less competitive. With fewer companies hiring and more candidates actively looking for new opportunities, your business will have a distinct advantage. By starting the hiring process now, you can ensure that your job opening stands out, receives more recognition, and attracts a larger pool of applicants.
In a less competitive market, your business can be more selective and find the perfect candidate to join your team. With more applicants to choose from, you have a greater chance of finding an all-star employee who aligns with your business goals and values. This increased pool of candidates also allows you to consider individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, providing you with more options to find the best fit for your team. Taking advantage of the less competitive market gives you the opportunity to build a strong team for the upcoming season.
Time to train.
This is a great time of year to train employees. With having the time to train, you’re open to more diverse candidate backgrounds. This will allow you to be more selective when choosing a candidate. Have you received a candidate that has all the experience but you're just not sure his or her personality will fit with the team? Then received a candidate that has a great personality, think he would be a great fit but lacks some of the experience you’re looking for? Hiring now will give you the time to train on the experience the candidate is missing so you can hit the busy season in full force. If you cringe when you hear the words “employee training” read more from AgHires owner Lori Culler on why training doesn’t have to be a daunting task or complicated here
This is a great time to post, advertise, and recruit for your next all-star employee. The candidates aren’t as busy, you’re not as busy, there’s less competition for your opening to be seen, and you have time to be selective and get ready for your busy season.
