IT’S TIIIIIME TO START HIRING FOR 2026 – A FESTIVE REMINDER FOR EMPLOYERS

The festive slowdown and the hidden opportunity

The tinsel is being hung across reception desks, chocolates mysteriously appear in branch kitchens, and someone in the team has already started debating when it’s officially acceptable to play Mariah Carey. December has arrived, and as the atmosphere begins to soften, something else happens too…recruitment activity slows down. Teams begin wrapping up the year, reviewing budgets and performance, writing their final reports, and planning their festive lunches.

It’s when the industry naturally takes stock, and most employers assume it’s not the time to hire. But that’s exactly why this moment is one of the most valuable and strategic opportunities of the year.

Because while many agencies slow down for the festive season, the ones who plan their hiring now get ahead. They secure more motivated candidates, avoid the frantic January rush, and start the new year with a team that’s already primed for performance.

Whether you’re managing a property management department, running a lettings desk, overseeing administration, or leading a busy office of negotiators, December offers a clear advantage for those thinking ahead.

The truth about candidates in December

There’s a common misconception that most candidates take a break from job hunting in December. The truth is a little more nuanced. While some may delay their job search until January, there’s a smaller, more selective group of candidates who actively begin exploring roles at this time. And these are some of the most valuable job seekers, people who aren’t casually browsing, but intentionally planning a first-quarter move.

The Property Manager who wants stronger operational support and a healthier portfolio. The Lettings Negotiator ready to step up into a senior role where progression is actually possible.
The Administrator who’s mastered tenancy progression and is now looking for a pathway toward a more senior role or transition into property management.

They are reflective, motivated, serious, and they’re open to meaningful conversations before the January chaos kicks in.

Why starting recruitment in December gives you better candidates (and more time)

When recruitment begins in December, you gain time. You’re not competing with dozens of companies all launching roles in the first week of January. You’re not chasing candidates who already have three interviews lined up. Instead, you’re having calm, well-timed conversations with high-quality candidates while everyone else is still preparing their job adverts.

At Property Personnel, we can start identifying these individuals now, discreetly mapping the market, shortlisting, and pre-screening candidates for suitability, cultural alignment, and career expectations. We can confirm their compliance, review communication strengths, and prepare for interviews in early January, setting you up to move quickly when the new year begins.

Instead of starting recruitment planning in January, you enter the new year already in motion.

Less competition, more visibility, better results

Another powerful advantage of December hiring is that most property companies haven’t launched their vacancies yet. That means you’re not just early, you’re visible. Candidates who might normally be juggling multiple processes in January are instead speaking to a handful of employers, and those meaningful first discussions tend to stick.

If you’re willing to hold an exploratory video call before Christmas, or even just agree a date for interviews in early January, that small sign of organisation and intent can put you ahead of competitors who simply haven’t engaged yet.

It doesn’t need to be a formal interview. Many successful recruitment outcomes in December begin with a light, informal phone conversation, Teams meeting, or even a coffee.

December: a month of reflection and realisation

December is a deeply reflective month for people. At this time of year, many professionals review their workloads, their work-life balance, their commissions or bonuses, and whether they can see a clear progression path in their current company. It’s when Property Managers question whether they’re managing too many units without enough support. When Lettings Negotiators reflect on whether their commission structure truly rewards their performance. When Administrators wonder if their progression has stalled.

This mindset isn’t just seasonal, it’s strategic. People are preparing for a new year. They’re evaluating whether they want to stay or if it’s time to grow.

That’s why roles shared in December often attract deeper, more thoughtful interest. Not impulsive applications. Deliberate ones.

A perfect time for employers to reflect on their structure

For employers, it’s a perfect time to assess your own structure. Where were the friction points this year? Was your property management team stretched too thin during peak periods? Did Negotiators spend too much time doing admin that could be handled by a dedicated individual? Were customer service levels impacted because renewals and progression weren’t properly resourced?

Recruitment at this time isn’t just about filling vacancies. It’s about improving efficiency, protecting service standards, and enhancing team morale. It’s about hiring strategically, not reactively.

Recruitment planning now doesn’t interrupt the festive wind-down…it enhances it

The beauty of starting recruitment planning in December is that it doesn’t have to interrupt your festive wind-down. It’s not about rushing hiring decisions. It’s about laying the groundwork, having early conversations, mapping the talent you’ll want to speak with, preparing interview dates for early January, and quietly positioning your company as thoughtful, organised, and ahead of the curve.

Even simply communicating to a candidate that interviews will take place the second week of January can put you in a stronger position.

It shows intent. It shows clarity. It shows that while everyone else is waiting for January, you’re already prepared.

Final thoughts: don’t wait to start the conversation

So, as the office begins to slow down, take a moment to think, not about Christmas calendars, but about your January ones. The teams you’ll want to build, the support you’ll wish you had in place, and professionals who could change the pace and productivity of your team.

Those conversations don’t need to wait. They can start quietly. Thoughtfully. Strategically. Now.

Because in recruitment, as in property, timing is often the difference between good and exceptional.

If you’re ready to step into 2026 prepared, let’s get the conversation started, before everyone else does!

The team at Property Personnel would like to wish you all a successful, well-planned, and festive December!