Many job seekers think December is a poor time to look for work.
WRONG.
In December, people take stock of their careers, evaluate their goals, and often decide it’s time for a change.
Job seekers who apply in December are typically serious and motivated – they’re not casually browsing.
They’re ready to move and excited about starting 2026 with new challenges.
There are also candidates between roles/contracts and who are keen to lock something away before the end of the year.
Many companies pause recruitment until January, which means fewer job ads and less noise in the market.
Savvy recruiters know if they advertise now, the positions stand out. Candidates are more likely to notice job opportunities and respond quickly.
January is very busy for HR teams. Everyone wants to hire at once, creating bottlenecks and delays.
By recruiting in December, employers avoid the scramble and start the new year with the team already in place.
Some organisations have leftover budget at the end of the year. Using it for hires can be a smart move – especially they you want to avoid cuts in the next cycle.
December hires can help businesses maximise resources.
Over the holiday period some recruiters will do video interviews to eliminate scheduling headaches and allow flexibility for candidates and hiring managers.
Tools like Teams or Zoom make it easy to keep the process moving.
December is also a prime time for passive candidates – those who aren’t actively applying but are open to opportunities.
Recruiters know a well-crafted LinkedIn message or email can spark interest. So start scanning LinkedIn.