The January Hiring Surge in Aviation & Aerospace: A Strategic Guide for Employers

At the start of the new year, many companies experience a hiring surge driven by budget resets. This period brings a significant influx of job seekers eager for new opportunities, making it a prime time for companies to attract top talent as they launch new budgets and goals for the year. Preparing for this hiring rush requires strategic planning and a proactive approach in any industry, especially the aviation and aerospace industry where it is essential to have filled positions. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help employers navigate the January hiring surge successfully.

What is the January Hiring Surge?

The January hiring surge occurs during the new year when businesses increase their workforces to meet demands of new projects and projections for the upcoming year. This is most common during the start of the new year when companies have new budgets and strategic initiatives but hiring surges can also occur in September through October when leaders want to use up their remaining budget before the year ends.

Several factors contribute to the January hiring surge including:

• New Budgets: Many companies operate on an annual budget, which resets January 1st. This allows businesses to allocate funds for new hires starting after the beginning of the new year.
• New Strategic Initiatives: At the start of the new year, organizations often set strategic goals and initiatives, often requiring additional manpower to achieve them.
• Employee Turnover: Year-end resignations create openings that companies can fill at the start of the year.

To be ready for the January hiring surge employers need to be well-prepared. Keep reading to learn how to successfully prepare for the hiring surge.

Pre-Hiring Surge

Review Your Organization’s Staffing Needs

Before the hiring surge begins, review your organization’s staffing needs to identify open roles and skill gaps. Understanding market trends for industry-specific labor needs lets companies plan ahead to avoid understaffing during peak seasons or overstaffing during slower periods at the company. Hiring managers must act quickly during a hiring surge or they might miss out on the talent that they need.

Simplify Application Process

Ensure that your job descriptions are clear and compelling to applicants to attract the right candidates. Highlight any unique benefits or opportunities that set your company apart from competitors. When job descriptions are simplified it is an easier way for applicants to understand what they are applying for. Additionally, make sure your overall application process is not too complex because that can deter potential candidates.

Strengthening Your Brand Presence

Your company’s reputation as an employer plays a significant role in attracting talent. In preparing for the hiring surge, use this time to strengthen your company’s brand presence to showcase the workplace culture, values, and employee experiences. We suggest leveraging the company’s social media, blogs, and employee testimonials to show what makes your organization a great place to work.

During the Hiring Surge

Job Fairs & Networking Events

Attending job fairs and networking events are great opportunities to meet potential applicants face-to-face. Make sure to prepare a compelling pitch about your company and the roles that you are hiring for. Job fairs give applicants the opportunity to ask questions about specific roles and your company as a whole.

Work with a Recruitment Agency

Recruitment agencies like CorpGuidance Recruiting can be extremely valuable partners during the hiring surge. They have access to pools of vetted candidates and can help match you with individuals who meet your requirements. Establishing a relationship with a recruitment agency can make them your key partner in all hiring efforts.

Maintain Clear Communications with Candidates

With an influx of candidate applications, it is still important that candidates have a positive experience with your company. Ensure timely communication with the applicants and provide feedback after interviews. If a candidate is interviewing for multiple companies, updates and clear communication might give your company a competitive edge.

Successfully navigating the January hiring surge doesn’t end with making offers. Consider these post hiring surge steps!

Post Hiring Surge

After hiring a new candidate, the onboarding process is essential for helping new hires integrate into your organization. This includes providing comprehensive training, and offering support during their transition. A positive onboarding experience contributes to higher employee retention.

Then take time to evaluate your recruitment process and gather feedback from new hires to identify areas for improvement for the next time.

How CorpGuidance Recruiting Helps

The January hiring surge presents a valuable opportunity for employers to partner with a recruiting agency like CorpGuidance Recruiting. We understand that the aviation and aerospace industries demand precision, leadership, and trust especially when it comes to building great teams. We partner with organizations across the industry to solve their hiring needs and connect them with skilled and top talent professionals in MRO, engineering, and project management. During the January hiring surge, let us bring the right candidates to you while you focus on your day-to-day operations.

Contact us to get ahead of the January hiring surge or any other time during the year for assistance!