Timing your move · 5 min read
Is it worth job hunting in December?
Whether employers hire in December, why fewer applicants can help you, what slows down, and a simple plan for the holiday weeks.
The short answer
Yes. Hiring slows in late December, but it doesn't stop. Many employers are filling roles for January starts, spending budget before it resets, or planning next year's headcount, and fewer people apply because they assume nothing happens. Expect slower replies, interviews pushed into January and fewer new posts in the last two weeks of the month. Use December for applications to roles already posted, warm networking through holiday messages and events, and preparing your CV and stories, so you're ready when January hiring picks up.
Key takeaways
- Hiring slows in December but doesn't stop.
- Fewer applicants means your application can stand out more.
- Expect slower replies and interviews moving into January.
- Use the quiet weeks to network and prepare for the January rush.
On this pageWhat actually happens to hiring in December
What actually happens to hiring in December
| Period | What tends to happen | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First two weeks | Normal pace, roles for January starts | Apply and interview as usual |
| Week before the holidays | Decisions rush or stall | Chase pending interviews politely |
| Holiday weeks | Few replies, few new posts | Prepare, network lightly |
| First week of January | Inboxes reopen, new budgets | Follow up and apply early |
Why fewer applicants can help you
Plenty of job seekers pause in December. Roles posted in early December can get fewer applications, and a recruiter clearing a quieter inbox has more time per CV. If a team needs someone in January, an applicant who is ready to interview in December is useful to them.
What to do in the holiday weeks
- Update your CV and LinkedIn with this year's results while they're fresh.
- Write your three or four strongest interview stories.
- Send short end-of-year messages to former colleagues and contacts.
- Make a list of 15 to 20 employers you'd like to work for.
- Set up job alerts so January posts reach you on day one.
Holiday events and casual conversations
Parties and family gatherings often bring up 'what do you do?'. Have a one-line answer ready about what you're looking for. People are relaxed and often happy to make an introduction in January if you follow up.
Illustrative example
Leo, a marketing coordinator, applies to four posted roles in the first week of December while friends wait for January. Two invite him to interview before the holidays. One decision stalls until January, but he's already through two rounds when the rush of new applicants arrives, and he gets the offer in mid January.
Applications that land well in December
Keep December applications short and specific. Say when you could start, which matters more than usual when a team wants someone in January. If you're available for interviews over the holidays, say so once. Recruiters juggling leave calendars notice candidates who make scheduling easy. Avoid sending your application at 11pm on Christmas Eve if you can schedule it for a weekday morning, because it will be read alongside a fresh inbox rather than buried under out-of-office replies.
If you're currently out of work
December can feel like a lost month when you're unemployed, and the gap in replies can hit confidence. Treat it as preparation time with a light weekly target: two or three applications, a couple of messages and one piece of interview practice. A short seasonal job can also bring in money and structure, as long as it leaves time for interviews. Then make the first week of January your restart, with follow-ups to everything that went quiet.
Questions people ask
- Do companies hire in December?
- Yes. Many have roles open for January starts, and some need to fill approved headcount before budgets reset. The pace slows in the last two weeks as people take leave.
- Should I apply on Christmas Eve or wait until January?
- If a role is posted, apply now. Applications are usually reviewed in order, and being early in the pile helps. A quiet week can mean a recruiter actually reads it.
- Is it rude to network over the holidays?
- No, if it's light. A short end-of-year message to thank someone or share an update is welcome. Save the direct asks for early January.
- Why have I heard nothing back in December?
- Hiring managers and interview panels take leave, so decisions wait. Follow up once in the first week of January if you haven't heard.
- Do seasonal roles turn into permanent jobs?
- Sometimes, especially in retail, logistics and hospitality. Ask at the interview how many seasonal staff are usually kept on.
- Should I mention the holidays in my cover letter?
- No need. Just state your availability to interview and to start. A seasonal greeting in a follow-up email is fine, but keep it to one line.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey · US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Future of Recruiting · LinkedIn Talent Solutions
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.