The final sprint of the year: how Opus Recruitment prepares for the Christmas rush

For many companies in South Holland, the busiest period of the year starts as early as October and continues until about a week before Christmas. Distribution centres run extra shifts to make sure orders reach customers on time, production companies increase their output, and in the horticultural sector, Christmas arrangements, Christmas trees and seasonal plants need to be shipped before the holidays begin. This means one thing: more people are needed in a short period of time. 

Why preparation starts now 

Companies that only start looking for extra staff at the end of October or beginning of November have a much smaller pool of candidates to choose from. By then, everyone is looking at the same time and good candidates are quickly taken. That is why we start planning ahead with our clients as early as August: how many people will be needed, during which weeks and in which departments? The sooner this is clear, the better we can find the right people and keep them available. 

Good planning makes the difference 

The workload builds up over a few weeks and then quickly decreases during the final week before Christmas. By then, everything needs to be ready, as the orders will already be with the customers. That is why we plan per week and per sector, rather than making one large staffing request for the entire period. This helps prevent having too few people during the busiest weeks and too many towards the end. 

What we discuss with our clients: 

Familiar faces return 

Every year, people return during the peak period who already know the work and the location. They can often start quickly and can also help new colleagues get settled. We stay in touch with candidates who performed well in the past and ask them in good time whether they are available again this year. For our clients, this means less time spent on training and greater certainty during the busiest period. 

Looking for work during the busy period? 

The weeks before Christmas are a good time to start working. There is plenty of work available, often with the opportunity to work extra hours, and you can finish in time to enjoy the holidays. For some people, temporary peak-season work can also be a stepping stone to a longer-term placement. Those who let us know now that they are available will have the widest choice of opportunities. 

Planning ahead together 

The final sprint of the year requires good preparation, but it does not have to be stressful. Are you expecting extra demand in the coming weeks?