Yes, applying for jobs in December is usually worth it. Hiring slows down in the last two weeks of the year, but it rarely stops, and many people pause their own search for the holidays, which can thin out the pile of applications on a recruiter’s desk. What changes in December is the pace, not the opportunity. Expect slower replies, interviews that stretch into January, and offers that land after the New Year. If you plan for that rhythm instead of fighting it, the month can do a lot of work for you.
This guide explains how December hiring actually behaves, which applications are worth sending now, what to do on the days nobody answers email, and how to avoid the common mistake of taking the whole month off and then starting cold in January.
Why December still matters for job seekers
There are a few practical reasons hiring keeps moving in December, even if it looks quiet from the outside.
- Budgets and headcount get settled. Many organisations plan the next year’s roles in the final quarter. A hiring manager who has just had a new position approved often wants to start collecting candidates before the January rush.
- Some roles cannot wait. A team that loses someone in November still needs the work done. Replacement hires tend to keep running through the holidays.
- Fewer competing applicants. Plenty of candidates decide to “start fresh in January.” That leaves recruiters reviewing a smaller stack, so a well-matched application has a better chance of being read closely.
- Seasonal and short-contract work peaks. Retail, warehousing, delivery and customer support often add temporary staff for the holidays, and some of those roles turn into longer contracts.
None of this means every company is hiring fast. Some shut down between Christmas and New Year, and decision-makers take leave. The point is that the work you do in December, such as applications sent, conversations started and portfolios tidied, puts you near the front of the line when activity picks back up.
What December hiring looks like week by week
The month is not one block. It behaves differently depending on the week.
Early December (roughly the 1st to the 12th)
This is the most productive stretch. Recruiters are at their desks, interview panels can still be scheduled, and some employers try to make offers before the break. If you have applications you were planning to send “soon,” send them now.
Mid December (roughly the 13th to the 20th)
Calendars start to fill with year-end deadlines, team events and leave. First-round interviews may still happen, but second rounds often slip. Replies get slower. This is a good time to finish applications that need more care, such as tailored cover letters or work samples.
The holiday week and the days before New Year
Expect very little movement. Many inboxes will carry out-of-office notices. Use this time for preparation rather than outreach. Applications submitted through an online system will still be timestamped and waiting when the reviewer returns, so applying is harmless; just do not read anything into the silence.
Which applications to prioritise in December
Because responses are slower, it pays to be selective. Focus on the roles where you are a strong match and where the listing looks active.
- Recently posted roles. A listing posted in the last two weeks is more likely to have a live budget than one that has been sitting for two months. Our guide to reading a job advert properly covers what else to check before you apply.
- Roles with a named contact. If the listing names a recruiter or hiring manager, you have someone to follow up with in January.
- Replacement roles and urgent openings. Phrases like “immediate start” suggest the employer will keep interviewing through the holidays.
- Temporary or seasonal work that fits your field. Short contracts can bridge a gap and add a recent reference.
Be more cautious with listings that promise unusually high pay for very little work, or that ask you to move the conversation to a messaging app straight away. Scammers are active all year, and the holidays are no exception.
A December job search plan you can actually keep
The holidays are busy, so the plan has to be small enough to survive family visits and travel. Here is a realistic structure.
- Set a weekly target, not a daily one. Three to five well-matched applications a week is more sustainable than chasing a daily quota you will abandon by the 20th.
- Batch your applications early in the week. Monday to Wednesday mornings tend to be when recruiters are clearing their queues before the end of the week.
- Keep one tracking sheet. Record the role, date applied, contact, and the date you plan to follow up. Our article on keeping a job search organised has a simple layout you can copy.
- Protect the holiday week. Plan to do preparation work, not outreach, between Christmas and New Year.
- Schedule your January restart now. Put the first working Monday of January in your calendar as the day you send follow-ups and a fresh batch of applications.
What to do when nobody replies
Silence in December is normal. A recruiter might be on leave, a hiring panel might not have met, or the role might be waiting on a budget sign-off that will not happen until January. Treat a lack of response as “pending,” not “rejected.”
If you applied in early December and have heard nothing by the second week of January, a short, polite follow-up is reasonable. Keep it to two or three sentences: the role, the date you applied, one line about why you are a fit, and a question about the timeline. For a deeper look at why applications go quiet and what you can control, see when applications get no response.
Use the slow days to prepare for January
The quiet stretch at the end of December is the best time of year for the tasks that make the next few months easier.
- Update your CV with the full year. Add this year’s achievements while they are still fresh, with numbers where you have them.
- Refresh your online profiles. Make sure your headline, current role and skills match the jobs you are applying for.
- Prepare two or three interview stories. Short examples of a problem you solved, a conflict you handled and a result you delivered will cover most behavioural questions.
- Collect references. Ask former managers now, while they have a little more time, whether they are willing to be contacted in the new year.
- Make a list of target employers. Note who you want to work for, even if they have no openings right now, so you can watch for new listings in January.
When January arrives, many people restart their search at the same moment. It helps to have a plan for standing out in that crowd, and NetMentors has a practical guide on restarting a job search in January when everyone else is too.
Should you accept an interview in the holiday week?
If an employer offers an interview between Christmas and New Year and you can attend, it is usually worth accepting. It signals that the role is a priority for them. If you are travelling or have family commitments, it is fine to suggest an alternative date in early January. A simple line such as “I’m travelling until the 2nd; could we look at a time during the week of the 5th?” is professional and rarely causes problems.
If you do interview over the holidays, check whether the call is by video or phone, confirm the time zone, and test your connection in advance. Holiday travel often means unfamiliar Wi-Fi.
Common December job search mistakes
- Stopping completely. Taking a break is healthy, but stopping for six weeks means you start January with nothing in progress.
- Over-following up. Chasing a recruiter twice in December is more likely to irritate than help. One follow-up in January is enough.
- Reading silence as rejection. Decisions are often delayed, not declined.
- Applying to everything. Slow responses make volume look attractive, but tailored applications still perform better.
- Ignoring scams. Unsolicited job offers by text or messaging app, or any request for you to pay money, are warning signs at any time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do companies hire in December?
Yes. Many companies continue hiring in December, especially for replacement roles, urgent openings and seasonal work. The process often slows in the second half of the month, so interviews and offers may move into January.
Is it better to wait until January to apply?
Not usually. Applying in early or mid December can put your application in front of a recruiter before the January surge of new applicants. If the role is still open in January, your application is already in the system.
How long do employers take to respond in December?
It varies widely by employer. Expect longer gaps than usual, especially around Christmas and New Year, when many decision-makers take leave. Silence for two or three weeks over the holidays is not unusual.
Should I follow up on an application during the holidays?
If you applied in early December, wait until early January before following up, unless the employer gave you a specific timeline. One short, polite message is enough.
What should I do with my time if I am not applying?
Update your CV with this year’s achievements, refresh your online profiles, prepare interview examples, line up references and build a list of target employers for January.