There is a prevailing belief that the recruitment industry hits the “pause” button in December. While some companies and candidates take a step back to enjoy the holidays, this isn't the reality for all. For those who remain active in their job search, the final weeks of the year represent a great opportunity. Here is your guide to capitalising on the year-end job market.
End of the year is a great time to review your professional CV and make necessary updates and changes. Update your contact information if needed. Make sure to update your professional experience and highlight new achievements or accomplishments that can boost your application.
Job application volumes often decrease during December as many candidates take a break. This leads to lower competition, which then results in an advantageous period for active job seekers and a higher chance of your application being reviewed, selected for an interview, and fortunately, being hired.
December offers a wonderful reason to connect and reconnect with your professional network. Reaching out during the middle of the year can sometimes feel transactional. Embrace the festive mood to genuinely check in on old contacts and even make new ones. The goal is to nurture relationships and to wish them well. Whether or not an opportunity arises, maintaining a connection and showing you care is valuable in itself
Once again, there are hiring managers and recruiters who slow down their recruitment during the holidays, this is not universal. Specific sectors such as customer service, e-commerce, hospitality, retail, and logistics see significant seasonal hiring in December. It is also important to remember that there are companies who hire strategically to secure talent before the next year starts or to meet year-end budgets. Research your industry’s hiring cycle to gain insight into who is actively recruiting.
Industry experts/analysts, major recruitment firms, and marketing consultancies release annual reports in the final months of the year. These reports reflect on the past year’s trends and provide an overview of the market for the year ahead. By researching and understanding these significant shifts, you can gain competitive advantage. Research how Tech, especially AI is impacting your industry. Learn about the top skills employers seek so you can plan for reskilling or upskilling yourself.
Another great strategy to stay ahead of your job search in December is to create a list of companies you’d love to work for. Once you’ve got a list, learn as much as you can about these companies. Research about their operations, recent milestones, company culture, and latest company news. You can then tailor your job application to align with their goals. Check their careers page and LinkedIn for immediate openings. If there is an opening that is perfect for you, go for it. Hiring managers and recruiters can tell when you’ve thoroughly prepared.
Pick your top job boards that offer job opportunities that are ideal for your industry or specialization. Make sure to sign-up for job alerts that are specific to your industry, role, and location. This ensures you are one of the first applicants to be notified of job openings posted during the year-end or January.
This coming December, whether you stay active in your job search or take a break, is totally up to you. Everyone deserves a break, especially if 2025 was a challenging year. But who says preparation and pause can’t co-exist?
Author quick BIO:
Since joining in 2013, Angie has played an important role in driving growth and success for the business. She specializes in the IT space but has worked with various clients and placed hundreds of candidates across different industries. She is instrumental in building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients, as well as ensuring seamless and strategic partnerships.
