*Disclaimer: This is a joke. Totally tongue-in-cheek. No hiring managers, candidates, or budgets were harmed in the making of this list.

As we charge through the final stretch of 2025 and navigate both wrapping up work before Christmas and the chaos of silly season, here’s a little Christmas list of things every recruiter secretly wishes Santa would pop under the tree.

🎁 Interview times confirmed without a 14-message email thread or string of missed calls
I’d love to send availability options and not begin an email novel titled “Re: Re: Re: Tuesday Works? Maybe? Possibly?” And don’t get me started on rescheduling…

🎁 Candidates who read the job description just once before applying
We don’t need perfection, but I would like a job advert where nobody applies for a CFO role with “no office experience ever, but willing to learn.”

🎁 Budgets that stay the same for more than a week
Not pointing fingers, not naming names, but stability is a gift, and I would happily unwrap that this Christmas.

🎁 A nice, consistent flow of work instead of December madness and February chaos
Imagine a gentle, steady rhythm all year?! A smooth, predictable, steady workflow would be a true festive miracle.

🎁 Shortlists that don’t disappear faster than pavlova at Christmas lunch
We love you, candidates. We also love it when you stick around. You finally build the perfect shortlist of candidates… and half of them accept other roles before the hiring manager replies.

🎁 A hiring manager who sends their PD on time
If you are this person, you’re the real MVP of 2025. Please continue your great work!

🎁 A public holiday every time a role changes scope or a candidate withdraws
We’re dreaming big this Christmas! Seems fair.

🎁 More wonderful clients and candidates
In the chaos, curveballs, and caffeine, recruitment works because of the amazing people we get to partner with. Here’s to more collaboration, more placements, and more human connection in 2026.

Wishing you a sunny, silly-season-fueled end to 2025 and a sparkling, successful hiring season ahead. 🎅✨