My phone always rings in mid-December. Is it people wishing me a happy holiday? No, not really. It's usually managers who received a "December Surprise" - a resignation from a key player on their team.   (Thankfully no calls came this year to tell me somebody that we placed has quit!)

There are many reasons people resign in mid-December, and many reasons for turnover in general. But as a hiring manager you can turn the December surprise to your advantage ... if you move quickly.

Because early January is the best possible time to be recruiting (here's why). So, if you get into action right now, in December, you can probably upgrade to an even better employee, and be back on track in no time.

On the other hand, if you fritter away the rest of December, and wait until January to start thinking about recruiting, you'll be too late. (Here's why).