Keep up the job search over the holidays!

December is often considered a difficult month for job hunting. We’re all busy – friends to catch up with, presents to buy, plans to be made… it’s hard to find a moment for ourselves, without adding a job search into the mix. With companies winding down for the break, it’s easy to think that December is a slow month for hiring – but that’s not necessarily the case. December could be the time when you hit gold, so don’t take your foot off the pedal quite yet.

In this article, we’ll look at reasons to keep your job search active over this busy season, and proactive steps you can take now to ensure career success in January. December could be more fruitful than you think!

Recruiters and hiring managers still work throughout December, as there are still vacancies to fill and preparations to be made for the new year. For example: 

• The Ministry of Manpower reported an increase in vacancies in December 2023
• They also reported that the financial / insurance services and professional services sectors in particular saw an increase in vacancies in the same month
• A survey by The Straits Times found that half of employers plan to hire in the fourth quarter of 2024
• The retail and hospitality industries are likely to see a surge in seasonal employment

December offers plenty of new job long-term opportunities. But for those willing to take on short-term seasonal roles, there are added benefits, such as the potential to build a professional network and even be retained in a permanent position. 

Many people assume that hiring slows down over December, or fail to prioritise their job search in favour of other seasonal activities. That means the ones that do apply are at an advantage, due to the reduced competition for open roles. And, with less applications, hiring managers can give the CVs they do receive the attention they deserve. 

If there’s one thing December is known for, it’s parties and events. With every family gathering, work function, and celebration with friends comes the opportunity to network. Job seekers can take advantage of these celebrations to expand their network, communicate their availability, and find out about potential vacancies in the new year. Nurturing new and existing connections is a great way to ensure you’re at the top of minds when a new job arises. 

A use-it-or-lose-it approach to hiring budgets means that some businesses need to spend their budgets before the end of the year. That may mean that recruitment for certain positions is accelerated to fit within the budget cycle. It also enables businesses to start the new year fully staffed. 

Following the holidays, when people have enjoyed time away from work and made new year’s resolutions, recruiters often see a surge in applications. Getting your CV in front of recruiters in December will give them a chance to review it properly – and you’ll be at the top of the pile when the market picks up in January. 

Now that we know the vacancies are out there and your application will likely get more attention if you keep your foot down throughout December, let’s take a look at how you can build on this opportunity. 

December is a natural opening to connect with people you may not have spoken to for a while. It’s easy to reach out with festive greetings and an offer to catch up. Whether you choose to send a Christmas card, a LinkedIn message, or an email – or even take the old-fashioned route and pick up the phone! – share your career goals and ask for recommendations in between other updates. Networking is one of the best ways of accessing the hidden job market and finding out about upcoming vacancies. 

It’s crucial to stand out from the crowd and convey your unique selling point, even though there’s likely to be less competition in December. A personalised and tailored CV and cover letter gives a clear indication that you’ve put time and effort into the application, and enables a recruiter to see how you align with the requirements of the role. A strong application will show how the applicant meets the company’s needs and can contribute to their success. 

A tailored application takes time – such as finding out the hiring manager’s name and referencing how your experience matches the person specification – but it’s much more likely to result in an interview. 

Even in December, recruiters are active on LinkedIn. By ensuring that your profile is up to date, with role-relevant keywords, recent jobs, and learning, you’re more likely to get noticed. An up-to-date profile is just half of the equation, though. Sharing content, commenting on posts, and reacting to others will increase your visibility and ensure you’re the first person recruiters think of when an appropriate vacancy arises. Don’t forget to activate the “open to work” feature too – this will also increase your visibility to recruiters.

While December can be fruitful for job seekers, January is the peak time. Some employers will put off interviewing and hiring until January, and there’s more movement in the job market as jobs are left and filled again. In December, you can prepare for this by researching companies of interest, setting up alerts on job boards, and polishing your CV and LinkedIn profile. This way, as soon as an appropriate vacancy pops up, you’ll know about it and be ready to apply immediately. 

As businesses wind down for the holidays and people take time away from the office, responses to applications may be slower than usual. While it’s easy to feel discouraged or ignored, follow up after a couple of weeks and reiterate your interest in the position. Patience and professionalism will pay dividends in the long run. 

Tempting though it may be to sit on the sofa watching repeats on the television in a feast-induced haze, your job search will be easier if you spend the time on professional development instead. Downtime at the end of the year is the perfect chance to improve your skills with online courses and certifications. 

Choosing courses related to your ideal next steps will make you more marketable and enable you to add some up-to-date learning to your CV, proving your commitment to the role and the industry. 

For those facing unemployment, freelancing or contract work can help you build your CV, grow your network, and stay connected to your industry. Such work can fill a gap on your CV, demonstrate initiative to potential employers, and – you never know – could lead to permanent work in the future. 

A holiday job search can seem disheartening, but consistency is key. Make it a daily routine to search for jobs, complete applications, reach out to contacts, and follow up. When progress feels slow, a routine can help you to stay productive and will mean you’re ready as soon as that perfect role arises.

It can seem like a slow month for job searching, but December is an excellent month to make progress. Many industries are still hiring and there’s less competition for roles. Add to that an increase in networking opportunities and the time to upskill, and you’re set for a new career in the new year!

Remember these key takeaways: 

• Many industries continue hiring throughout December, due to seasonality, budget cycles, and demand
• Proactive candidates have an advantage as December traditionally sees fewer applications
• Seasonal events provide the perfect opportunity for professional networking 
• January is a busy time for recruiters, so December applications are more likely to get attention
• Tailoring your CV to each specific role increases the chance of the application progressing 
• An up-to-date LinkedIn profile and continued online networking will keep you on the radar
• Holiday downtime can be used to upskill through online courses
• Freelance or contract work can fill a short-term gap and may lead to longer-term opportunities 
• A regular job search routine will help to maintain motivation and productivity 

If you’re facing retrenchment from your current role, you don’t need to do it alone. Careerminds offers industry-leading outplacement services, working with participants until they’re placed in fulfilling new roles. We’ll help you to navigate the next steps in your professional journey – simply click below to speak to one of our experts and find out how we can help. 

Jen David

Jen is a careers writer and CV specialist, with over 13 years' experience in the job search sector. Find out more by connecting with her on LinkedIn or visiting her website.