Don't Wait Until January: 5 Reasons to Make Permanent Hires Before the Year Ends

Q4 is generally known as the “circle back” season, where companies have spent most of their time, energy, and budgets and are delaying all important decisions until the new year.

But here's the thing: business doesn't stop moving just because the calendar is about to turn.

If you have open positions, anticipated growth, or critical skills gaps, waiting until January to hire could put your organization behind before the year even begins.

While many businesses pull back on hiring in Q4, there are still great candidates on the market just looking for the right fit and now might be the time to snap them up 

According to a recent survey by Robert Half, 66% of U.S. hiring managers planned to increase permanent hiring in the second half of 2026. This means more employers competing for the same talent.

Instead of circling back, try moving forward. The smartest employers are noticing that the final weeks of the year can present an opportunity to get ahead of your competition, secure qualified talent, and position your business for a stronger start to 2027.

Here are five reasons to consider making permanent hires before year-end:

1. Get ahead of the January hiring rush

January is a natural reset for everyone. New budgets, refreshed business priorities, and workforce planning initiatives often bring a renewed focus on hiring.

While January brings more people into the job market (for example, searches on Indeed were up as much as 31% in January 2026 compared with the early-December 2025 average), it also means there are more employers competing for the talent they need. 

Starting your search before the end of the year gives you an opportunity to build relationships with qualified professionals before hiring activity accelerates. Rather than starting January off in a scramble, you can enter the new year with candidates already engaged and hiring processes well underway.

2. Reduce the impact of open positions on your business

An unfilled position rarely affects just one person or department. When critical roles remain vacant, existing employees absorb additional responsibilities, projects can slow down, and business opportunities may be delayed. And realize, the longer a position stays open, the longer your organization operates without the capacity or expertise it needs.

According to a SRHM report, 36% of workers reported heavier workloads due to unfilled roles and employees experiencing increased workloads because of unfilled roles were more than 3x as likely to report burnout.

Filling critical positions before year-end can help reduce that strain, improve team capacity, and allow your employees to focus on the work that matters most.

3. Make progress on your 2027 business goals now

If your organization is planning to grow, expand into new markets, or take on new initiatives in 2027, the talent required to execute those plans should be part of your strategy today. Hiring ahead of anticipated demand allows you to build the capabilities your business needs before those needs become urgent.

58% of hiring managers said finding qualified talent was more difficult than a year earlier. Additionally, 63% reported significant project delays due to skills shortages, while 48% had canceled projects.

Whether you're adding sales capacity, strengthening technology teams, or bringing specialized expertise into your organization, getting started now can help shorten the distance between planning and execution.

4. Take advantage of a potentially less competitive hiring environment

Not every employer maintains the same recruiting pace throughout the holiday season. Some organizations slow down or temporarily pause hiring, creating opportunities for employers who remain active.

Professionals considering a career move may be particularly motivated to explore new opportunities before the new year. Others may be planning their next career move and ready to begin conversations. After all, according to BLS data, there were 5.3M hires made nationally in December 2025. There are great candidates still looking!

Maintaining momentum during this period can help your organization connect with talent that might otherwise be competing for multiple opportunities in January.

5. Give your new hires a stronger start

The time between opening a requisition and having a fully contributing employee is longer than most employers realize. Recruiting, interviewing, offer negotiations, notice periods, onboarding, and training all take time. According to a recent SHRM study, non-executive positions take 45 days from opening requisition to offer acceptance.

And a hire doesn't create value on day one. APQC reports a 35-day median time-to-productivity benchmark for new hires. That means waiting until January to begin recruiting can push the point when a new employee starts making a meaningful contribution well into the first quarter, or beyond.

Don't just hire for January. Hire for the business results you want to achieve in Q1.

Permanent hiring doesn't have to be complicated

Your business shouldn't have to choose between managing today's priorities and finding tomorrow's talent.

Whether you need access to a broader talent pool, additional recruiting expertise, or a partner to manage the entire search, The Mom Project gives you flexible ways to make your next hire, all designed around your business needs.

• AccessMom: Post, search, and connect directly with more than 2 million professionals through our talent marketplace.
• AccessMom Pro: Combine marketplace access with recruiting expertise and additional support throughout your search.
• MomForce Delivered: Put our recruiting team to work managing the search, sourcing qualified talent, and helping you make the right hire.

Whether you need to fill one critical position or build capacity across multiple teams, we make it easier to find the talent you need.

Don't carry your vacancies into 2027

The best time to prepare your workforce for next year's priorities is before those priorities become today's challenges. You don't have to wait until January to start building your team, let's make your next hire count.

Ready to get ahead of your 2027 hiring needs?

Explore The Mom Project's permanent hiring solutions and find the right approach for your business.