The holiday season is here! For many, that means a break from the grind. But for the proactive job seeker, this time of year isn’t a pause.  It’s an opportunity.

The common wisdom is that hiring slows to a halt between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and you should just wait until January. This could be a mistake.

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⏹ Is Job Searching Easier or Harder During the Holidays?

The answer is: Easier, but with a caveat.

The caveat is that the pace of the hiring process may slow down. Hiring managers, recruiters, and interviewers may take time off, which can delay interview scheduling and offer decisions. However, the key advantages of job searching now far outweigh the potentially slower response times:

🈸 Less Competition

This is the biggest advantage. As many job seekers hit “pause” on their search, you get a head start. Recruiters have fewer applications to sift through, meaning your resume is more likely to stand out.  There is a significant drop off in applications during the month of December but not all recruiters stop working.  It provides a time to play catch-up.  And, for those managers who are still in the office, there is more time to interview.

Side note:  As a corporate recruiter, I would search for those managers who were working during the holidays and have them interview candidates.  I filled a lot of positions that had lingered for weeks because I finally had the manager’s sole attention.

🈸 Year-End Budget Urgency

There are two types of companies in December – those out of budget who can’t spend until January and those with budget who need to spend it before the year ends.  Those needing to spend have a sense of urgency to fill open roles quickly.

🈸 Setting Up for the January Rush

January is famously the busiest month for job applications. By applying now, you are already in the system when new budgets kick in and hiring managers return to the office. Your application could be at the top of the pile when the new year’s floodgates open.

⏹ 5 Tips to Land Your Dream Job During the Holiday Season

Don’t let the festive cheer distract you from your career goals. Here’s how to maximize your efforts:

1️⃣ Prioritize Networking (The Festive Way)

The holiday season is a natural time for social gatherings, both formal and informal.  Use holiday  parties, family gatherings, or even a virtual “coffee chat” to reconnect with your network. Instead of a cold ask, send a genuine season’s greeting, then follow up with a professional update and request for an informational interview after the New Year.

1 in every 4 businesses plan on hiring new workers for full-time positions between October and December (Source: Staffing Industry Analysts)

2️⃣ Focus on Prep Work

If the hiring process does slow down, use that time for deep-dive preparation.

• Update: Polish your resume, update your LinkedIn profile, and create multiple versions of your cover letter tailored to different job types.
• Research: Deeply research target companies, their values, and their recent projects. This will make your applications and eventual interviews much stronger.
• References: Get your references in order—contact them to confirm their availability and permission to use them.  AND confirm what information you would like them to share (example:  “I have another reference that has a great example of my teamwork experience.  Would you be able to highlight my leadership skills?”

3️⃣ Be Open to Seasonal-to-Full-Time Opportunities

Many industries, especially Retail, Logistics, and Customer Service, ramp up hiring for seasonal needs. This can be a strategic career move.  A seasonal role can be a paid, extended interview.  It’s a chance to prove your work ethic and cultural fit to secure a permanent role in January.

A CareerBuilder study found that 62% of employers will move their seasonal workers to full-time after the holidays.

4️⃣ Manage Your Expectations and Practice Patience

Understand that your application review or interview feedback may be delayed.  Apply early in December and send follow-up emails a few days before the major holidays (like Christmas or New Year’s) when people are still winding down.  Don’t view a slow response as a rejection. View it as a chance for your application to be noticed when other candidates are sleeping in.

5️⃣ Show Your Holiday Spirit (Professionally)

If you get an interview, use the context of the season to your advantage.  When a manager asks what you’ve been up to, mention a relevant project, a course you completed, or even a volunteer effort you took on. Showing that you are driven and productive even during a quiet time is a major differentiator.

The holiday season is often the perfect time to shift your job search from a crowded sprint to a focused, strategic marathon. While everyone else is waiting for January, you can be positioning yourself for success!

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Successful job searches are much different than just two years ago. Need help navigating the new normal? Reach out to Eddie (estewart@ESTalentSolutions.com) to learn about the ESTS Aspire job coaching services.  Conversations are free.  Benefits can last a lifetime!

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