Every year, as November rolls around, job seekers start talking about putting their job search on hold until January.
It's understandable. Christmas is approaching, people are taking leave, offices are running on skeleton staff and recruitment activity can appear to slow down. But stopping your job search altogether could mean missing opportunities that are available right now.
Here's why we'd encourage you to keep going.
Recruitment doesn't stop just because Christmas is approaching
Organisations still have vacancies to fill. People resign, new positions are approved, projects get underway and operational requirements don't disappear because it's nearly Christmas.
Some employers are keen to have new employees secured before the end of the year. Others are recruiting now for positions that will commence in January or February. If you're not looking, you're potentially missing out.
You could face less competition
January is traditionally a busy time for job seekers. People return from holidays refreshed, motivated and ready to find something new. The result? A lot of people entering the market at the same time, applying for the same advertised positions.
By continuing your search through November and December, you may find yourself competing with a smaller pool of active applicants. That's not a guarantee, of course, but it's a good reason not to disappear from the market.
Employers are already planning for the new year
Recruitment doesn't always follow the calendar year. Many organisations are working on workforce plans, identifying upcoming vacancies and preparing for new projects and priorities in the year ahead.
Some will advertise positions in November and December, with interviews and appointments taking place either side of the Christmas break. Getting your application in early means you could already be in the process while other candidates are only just starting to look in January.
Use the quieter weeks productively
Even if recruitment activity slows within some organisations, that doesn't mean you should stop making progress.
Use this time to:
Keep applying: Don't overlook suitable opportunities simply because they're advertised in December.
Reconnect with your network: Reach out to former colleagues, professional contacts and people who might know of upcoming opportunities.
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile: Make sure you're ready to put your best foot forward when the right opportunity comes along.
Research organisations: Identify employers you'd like to work for and keep an eye on their career pages.
Be prepared: If an interview opportunity comes up, make yourself available where possible.
Be realistic, but don't switch off
Yes, some organisations slow down over Christmas. Some recruitment processes will take longer, particularly when hiring managers, decision-makers or other key people are on leave.
You might have to wait a little longer for feedback or an outcome.
That's not necessarily a reflection of your application or your suitability for the role. Sometimes it's simply the timing.
But there's a difference between being patient with recruitment processes and putting your entire job search on hold.
Don't make January harder than it needs to be
Imagine starting January with a few applications already in progress, conversations underway and potential opportunities on the horizon.
Now compare that with starting from scratch, alongside thousands of other people who have decided that January is the time to start looking.
Which position would you rather be in?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a break over Christmas, enjoying time with family and friends and giving yourself some breathing space.
But you don't need to abandon your job search to do that.
Keep looking. Keep applying. Keep making connections.
The right opportunity doesn't necessarily wait until January.