Recruiting Through the Holidays: Don’t Slow Down—Speed Up

As the year comes to a close, many recruitment teams face a familiar dilemma: should efforts slow down until January, or is it worth staying active during the holidays? While it can be tempting to hit pause, doing so often means losing valuable time in an already competitive hiring market.

The holiday season is far from a dead zone for physician and advanced practice provider (APP) recruitment—in fact, it can be one of the best times to get ahead.

We recently presented a webinar on this very topic - feel free to check it out here:

https://youtu.be/eNT00MjPlNg

Physician Shortages Don’t Wait

The reality of today’s market is that healthcare organizations can’t afford to step back. By 2036, the U.S. is expected to face a shortage of about 86,000 physicians. Filling roles already takes months on average—around four for primary care, and even longer for certain specialties like neurosurgery or urology.

When searches stretch this long, losing a month or two to holiday downtime can set hiring timelines back significantly. For patients, the impact is longer wait times and reduced access to care. For recruiters, it’s a tougher uphill climb in the new year.

Learn how PracticeMatch helps organizations reduce time-to-fill with data-driven physician recruitment solutions.

Why the Holidays Work in Your Favor

Instead of being a slowdown, the holiday season can actually give recruiters an edge. With fewer organizations actively posting jobs, opportunities stand out more.

Many physicians and APPs also use this time to reflect on their careers, update CVs, and consider new opportunities as part of the “new year, new job” mindset. It’s also a natural time for referrals. Whether through colleagues, coordinators, or professional networks, connections are often more willing to share opportunities during this season.

A well-timed outreach, especially one that feels personal and acknowledges the holidays, can resonate far more than a standard job posting or template email.

Attract active and passive candidates with physician sourcing and outreach services.

What the Data Shows

Holiday recruiting isn’t just possible, it works. Application activity often rises in December and January as providers look ahead to the coming year. Recruiters who stay visible during this time often see stronger engagement and higher response rates.

At PracticeMatch, recruitment activity over the holiday period has consistently produced high levels of candidate submissions, interviews, and engagement—underscoring the opportunity that exists when others pull back.

See our upcoming virtual career fairs to connect with qualified physicians and APPs year-round.

Keeping Momentum Through the Holidays

Maintaining recruitment efforts doesn’t have to mean adding more work to an already busy season. A few simple shifts can make a big difference:

  • Personalized outreach framed around the season helps messages feel genuine and timely.

  • Refreshing job postings with updated language or highlighted benefits ensures they don’t get overlooked.

  • Fast response times keep candidates engaged, even if you only send a short acknowledgment.

  • Automation tools (like scheduling or reminders) help maintain momentum.

  • Pipeline cleanup during quieter weeks sets you up for a stronger January.

Even if someone isn’t ready to move right away, outreach during this reflective season often sparks conversations that lead to new opportunities in the months ahead.

Streamline your process with PracticeMatch recruitment technology tools.

Creative Ways to Connect

The holidays also provide a chance to think outside the box:

  • Hosting virtual holiday meet-and-greets.

  • Sharing short video messages from leadership.

  • Running social media campaigns with a “countdown to the new year” theme.

These approaches can build rapport, highlight organizational culture, and keep your employer brand visible.

 Strengthen your outreach with PracticeMatch employer branding solutions.

Recruitment is a long process, and every week matters. Pausing during the holidays risks losing valuable time in a market already defined by shortages and long fill times. Staying consistent—even with small, thoughtful efforts—helps organizations stay ahead, connect with providers when they’re more open to opportunities, and enter the new year with stronger momentum.

Where PracticeMatch Comes In

At PracticeMatch, our Client Sourcing team supports organizations year-round, including during the holiday season. Acting as an extension of your recruitment team, we handle outreach, sourcing, and marketing support that keeps your opportunities visible and your pipeline moving.

From personalized candidate conversations to digital ad campaigns and geofencing, we ensure you don’t lose valuable ground when it matters most. Recruiting through the holidays doesn’t just keep the process on track—it can give you the advantage you need heading into the new year.

Ready to Accelerate Your Recruitment?

Don’t let the holidays slow down your momentum. Explore how PracticeMatch can help you:

Contact us today to see how PracticeMatch can strengthen your recruitment strategy and keep you ahead—through the holidays and beyond.