While most job seekers pause their search between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, this creates a golden opportunity for those who stay active. Companies continue recruiting, budgets get finalized, and strategic candidates gain a competitive edge by searching when others have stepped back. Continuing your job search during the holidays positions you ahead of the January rush when competition intensifies dramatically.
1. Less Competition Means Greater Visibility
The biggest advantage of searching during the holidays is reduced competition. According to Indeed, job seeker activity drops considerably in December, yet companies continue posting positions. Your application gets more attention from recruiters who aren’t drowning in hundreds of submissions.
Are you currently delaying your job search until after the holidays?
2. Beat the January Application Surge
January experiences a 200 to 300 percent spike in job applications as millions of people make “new year, new job” their resolution. When you apply in December, you avoid this crush. Starting now means you’re already in the interview pipeline when January candidates are just beginning their search.
How would getting ahead of 300 percent more competition change your outcomes?
3. Companies Finalize Budgets and Hiring Plans
December is when organizations complete their budget planning for the upcoming year. Many companies post positions in late December expecting to hire in January and February. By applying during the holidays, you’re among the first candidates considered for these newly approved roles. Industries like technology, healthcare, and finance frequently make strategic hires in December to secure top talent.
Could your ideal role be posted right now while you’re waiting for January?
4. Hiring Managers Have More Availability
Contrary to popular belief, December often brings more flexibility for interviews. With slower business cycles and fewer meetings scheduled, hiring managers frequently have more availability. Virtual interviewing tools make scheduling easier than ever, and many recruiters use this quieter time to advance their hiring pipelines for Q1 starts.
When was the last time you had more flexible scheduling than during the holidays?
5. Stronger Networking Opportunities
Holiday events create natural networking opportunities that don’t exist other times of year. A casual conversation at a holiday party could lead to learning about unadvertised positions. Additionally, LinkedIn activity from employed professionals often increases as they reflect on career goals during year end.
What professional connections could you strengthen during upcoming holiday gatherings?
6. Demonstrate Commitment and Initiative
Actively searching during the holidays sends a powerful message about your professionalism. When hiring managers see candidates who maintain their search through the year end slowdown, it signals genuine interest and strong work ethic that will carry into their organization.
7. Take Advantage of Seasonal Hiring Trends
Certain industries actively hire during the holidays. Retail trade industries added 492,000 seasonal positions during October through December 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare, hospitality, and transportation logistics also maintain robust hiring through the holidays with many roles transitioning to permanent positions.
Partner With Bilingual Source for Holiday Job Search Success
Continuing your job search during the holidays requires strategy and expert support. Bilingual Source, Canada’s leading French English recruitment agency, specializes in connecting bilingual professionals with exceptional opportunities year round.
Our recruiters understand the unique advantages of December job searching and can position you strategically for opportunities others miss. We offer interview coaching, resume optimization, and access to exclusive bilingual positions across Canada.
While others wait for January, connect with Bilingual Source today and discover opportunities that match your bilingual skills. Visit our job board to explore current openings and get ahead of the new year hiring rush.
