Why November is Recruitment's

Busiest Month?

After years of wondering why November is so busy but doing nothing but speculating, I decided to investigate.

November consistently ranks as the busiest recruitment month across the UK, and the charity sector is no exception. But why does this happen with such predictable regularity?

Cut to the chase and call me for recruitment or retention support on 07480877734 or email on: tim@ferntalent.com

The Perfect Storm of Timing.

Budget cycles drive everything. Most charities finalise their staffing plans for the new financial year during Q3, with recruitment budgets confirmed by autumn. There's a natural urgency to get roles advertised and filled before Christmas, when everything slows to a crawl. Nobody wants to be interviewing when their mind is on hanging out with uncle Jon and what a 2-year-old actually wants.

But there's more to it than simple calendar management. November sits at the intersection of several psychological and practical factors that create the perfect storm.

The Post-Summer Regret

September sees people returning from holidays with fresh perspective on their jobs. By October, they've given their current role chance and realise they still want more from life and have applications out, end of October they’ve found a new role and November is when they hand in their notice.

From an employer perspective, the summer recruitment lull means November is catch-up time. Roles that were "we'll look at this after the holidays" in July suddenly become priorities as year-end approaches.

Charity-Specific Pressures

The charity sector has its own seasonal rhythms that amplify the November rush. Grant application deadlines cluster in autumn, requiring additional capacity. Fundraising campaigns for Christmas and year-end giving need extra hands. Trustees start asking pointed questions about that vacant ‘Head of Whatever’ role that's been empty since August.

There's also the uncomfortable truth that many charity professionals are driven by purpose over pay. They'll endure difficult working conditions longer than commercial sector counterparts, but autumn often brings a reckoning—especially after annual reviews and budget announcements that bring crushing disappointment.

The Psychology of Change.

November taps into something deeper about how we approach change. It's far enough from January to avoid New Year's resolution clichés, but close enough to year-end to feel like natural timing for fresh starts. There's something about shortening days and turning seasons that makes people reflective about their professional lives.

For hiring managers, there's psychological comfort in November recruitment too. It feels proactive—getting ahead of the January rush when everyone else is scrambling to fill roles with motivated candidates who've spent Christmas thinking about career changes.

That’s my guess anyway.

Market Dynamics at Play?

The recruitment market operates on momentum, and November benefits from a convergence of supply and demand. Candidates who've been passively browsing opportunities all autumn reach decision point. Employers who've been "keeping an eye on the market" suddenly need to move quickly as other organisations start snapping up talent.

This creates a feedback loop—more activity breeds more activity. When good candidates know there are multiple opportunities available, they're more likely to take the plunge and explore options.

What This Means for You.

Understanding the November surge gives you competitive advantage. If you've got recruitment needs for early 2025, starting conversations now means better candidate choice and faster decision-making. Waiting until January puts you at the back of a very long queue.

But perhaps more importantly, November is when you need to be thinking about retention. Your best people are getting approached. They're reassessing their futures. A thoughtful conversation about career development or role evolution now could save you from an unexpected resignation letter in December.

If you want help with a consultant who can help you with staff retention, or if that ship has sailed and you need help with recruitment get in touch:

Tim@ferntalent.com / 07480877734