According to CNBC, the period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is actually a strategic time for job hunting despite common misconceptions. Career experts Vicki Salemi from Monster and Karolina Severova, a senior talent acquisition specialist, both confirm that hiring continues throughout the holiday season. The U.S. added 119,000 jobs in September according to delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics data, showing that hiring momentum often carries into year-end. Many companies need to spend remaining budgets before they lose them, and teams frequently rush to fill positions guaranteed for the current year. The reduced competition as other job seekers pause their searches creates more opportunity to stand out, while holiday networking events and casual check-ins provide natural openings for reconnecting with professional contacts.
The Counterintuitive Advantage
Here’s the thing that most job seekers get wrong: while everyone else is taking a break from applications, companies are still hiring. Actually, they might be hiring more urgently. Think about it – when you’re one of three applicants instead of one of three hundred, your chances automatically improve. And companies have real pressure to fill roles before year-end budgets expire or to prepare for big January projects.
I’ve seen this pattern myself in corporate environments. Departments that haven’t used their full hiring allocation will suddenly become very motivated in November and December. They’re essentially racing against the calendar. If they don’t fill that position now, they might not get approval for it next year. So they’re actually more likely to move quickly through interviews and make offers.
Networking Becomes Natural
Now consider the networking angle. Holiday parties and year-end gatherings remove so much of the awkwardness from professional networking. You’re not “working the room” – you’re just having conversations at what feels like a social event. The festive atmosphere lowers everyone’s guard and makes genuine connections easier.
Even outside of formal events, sending a simple holiday greeting to former colleagues or industry contacts feels completely natural. It’s not pushy or transactional like a typical “hey, are you hiring?” message. You’re just checking in, sharing updates, and staying top of mind. When those contacts hear about openings in January, guess who they’ll think of first?
When to Push and When to Pause
Look, I get it – the holidays are busy and emotionally draining for many people. Taking a break from job searching is completely understandable, especially in this tough market. But if your only reason for stopping is the assumption that nobody’s hiring, you’re making a strategic mistake.
The key is being selective rather than completely inactive. Focus on quality applications to companies that likely have year-end hiring urgency. Schedule a few strategic coffee meetings or virtual catch-ups. Basically, don’t burn yourself out with mass applications, but don’t disappear entirely either. The recruiters who are working during this period are often the most dedicated ones – and they’re facing lighter applicant traffic.
So while everyone else is waiting for January, you could be getting a head start on 2025. Sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re willing to do what others won’t.
