As the Holidays Approach, Career Experts Urge Job Seekers Not to Pause Their Search

New York, NY — October 13, 2025 — As the year draws to a close, career coaches are issuing an urgent reminder to job seekers: now’s not the time to lose your job search momentum. 

While many assume hiring slows during the holiday season, that’s far from the truth. In fact, according to ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey, 38% of employers plan to recruit during the final quarter of the year. Those who pause their job searches until January often end up at a disadvantage, as few applicants in mix means there’s actually less competition for open roles.

“A lot of professionals think hiring stops toward the end of the year, but that’s just not true,” says Amanda Augustine, CPCC, CPRW, and resident career expert for TopResume’s GetHiredNow program. 

“This is the time when many employers are finalizing their budgets and planning for the new year. They’re looking for qualified candidates who can hit the ground running in January, so there’s real opportunity for those job seekers who stay active in the final months of the year.”  

To help job seekers make the most of this overlooked window, Augustine shares five key reasons why the end of the year can be an ideal time to advance your job search, and how job seekers can use this period to their advantage.

1. Less competition means greater visibility

Many job seekers take a break from their search between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, assuming no one’s hiring. But that’s precisely why you shouldn’t step back. With fewer applicants flooding recruiters’ inboxes, your resume has a much better chance of standing out.

“Think of it as a quieter playing field,” Augustine explains. “When everyone else is focused on the holidays, you have more room to shine. Even if you’re not ready to interview right away, you can still plant seeds with recruiters and hiring managers that pay off in January.”

2. Companies are eager to use their remaining budgets

For some employers, there’s a financial incentive to make hires before the end of the fiscal year. Unused headcount or hiring funds might be lost if they’re not spent by December 31.

“In a lot of organizations, it’s ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to budgets,” says Augustine. “If a manager has open roles approved for this year, they’ll often move fast to fill them before that funding disappears.”

3. Hiring managers want a fresh start in January

Even if a company doesn’t plan to onboard a new hire until after the holidays, many teams are actively recruiting now to set themselves up for a strong start in the new year.

“The truth is, January is a chaotic month for hiring teams,” Augustine says. “They want their new hires ready to go when Q1 begins, not still in the interview stage. So when you apply in November or December, you’re often getting ahead of the January rush.”

4. The holiday season is prime networking time

From office parties to community events, the holidays are full of natural networking opportunities. And because the atmosphere is more relaxed, it’s easier to strike up conversations that can lead to job leads down the line.

“This is one of the best times of year to reconnect with your network in a way that doesn’t feel awkward or forced,” Augustine explains. “Reach out to former colleagues or mentors to wish them happy holidays, or attend an industry mixer. Those casual check-ins can turn into career-changing conversations.”

5. You’ll build momentum for the new year

Even if you don’t land a job offer before the ball drops, staying active through the holidays sets you up for success in January when hiring naturally accelerates.

“When you start the new year already in motion, you’re miles ahead of the competition,” says Augustine. “You’ve kept your resume fresh, you’ve nurtured relationships, and you’ve built momentum that carries right into the new year. Job searching is like going to the gym: consistency counts.”

Join us LIVE to lock in your job search before year’s end!

To help you turn these insights into action, TopResume is hosting a free LinkedIn Live event, “Hustle Season Hiring Hacks: Get Hired Before 2026,” on Tuesday, October 21st at 12:30 p.m. ET with Amanda Augustine, CPCC & CPRW, and Certified Professional Coach Ben Day.  

During this interactive session, they’ll share practical, easy-to-apply strategies to help you stay focused, uncover hidden opportunities, and build momentum before the holidays hit full swing. They’ll also answer your job search questions, live! Click the following link to learn more and RSVP. 

“If you’ve been spinning your wheels or waiting for the new year to make your next move,” Augustine says, “this is your time to refocus, reset, and get a jump on the competition before 2026 even begins.”

The bottom line

While it’s tempting to hit pause during the holidays, the smartest job seekers use this time to get ahead. With fewer competitors, motivated hiring managers, and a calendar full of networking opportunities, there’s no better moment to make progress toward your next career move.

“If you treat the holidays as an opportunity instead of an obstacle,” Augustine says, “you’ll start the new year with confidence … and maybe even a new job.”

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Amanda Augustine is the resident career expert for career.io’s suite of brands, including TopResume, Careerminds and resume.io. As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), she has spent more than 20 years helping professionals improve their careers and land the right job sooner. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and Facebook.