With holiday celebrations, end-of-year deadlines, and time away from the office, the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can make a job search feel stalled. But it’s a mixed bag. While some companies slow down their hiring processes, others are still filling open positions, bringing on freelance talent, or planning new hires for January.
If you’re considering a career move, don’t assume you need to wait until the new year to start looking. Companies across marketing, creative, and technology continue to hire throughout the holiday season. Updating your materials and reconnecting with your network will put you in a stronger position when hiring picks up in the first quarter.
Here are four ways to approach your job search during the holidays.
Some companies close their offices or operate with smaller teams around the holidays. This can affect how quickly they review applications, respond to emails, and schedule interviews. However, hiring doesn’t stop altogether.
Be realistic about response times. An application submitted the week before Christmas, for example, may not receive attention until hiring managers return to the office.
A few things to keep in mind:
Holiday parties, industry events, alumni gatherings, and even family get-togethers can put you in conversation with people outside your usual professional circle.
You don’t need to turn every conversation into a job pitch. Just be prepared to explain what you do and the kind of career opportunity you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re a freelance designer hoping to work with more consumer brands, mention the types of projects you’ve worked on and the industries you’d like to explore. Being specific makes it easier for someone to suggest a relevant contact or make an introduction.
You can also use the season as a reason to reconnect with former colleagues, clients, and managers. Send a quick holiday message, ask what they’ve been working on, or mention that you’re exploring new opportunities if it comes up naturally.
When you meet someone you’d like to stay in touch with, follow up on LinkedIn within a day or two and reference something specific you talked about. A note like “Great talking about your rebrand at Sarah’s party” is easier to answer than a blank connection request. And if you’re currently employed and keeping your search private, be mindful of where and with whom you discuss it.
If your holiday schedule gives you some downtime, use it to review the materials you’ll need when applying for jobs.
Start with your resume. Add recent projects, responsibilities, and accomplishments, and highlight skills that are relevant to the positions you’re pursuing. Include measurable results wherever possible.
For marketing, creative, and tech professionals, a current portfolio is critical. Add recent work samples, remove outdated projects, and make sure each example clearly explains your role and the results you helped achieve. Test your links to confirm everything is accessible.
Finally, check that your LinkedIn headline, About section, and work experience remain consistent with your resume.
Recruiters work directly with hiring managers and can offer insight into openings that may not be widely advertised. They can help you understand which companies are actively hiring in November and December, which hiring decisions may wait until January or February, and where clients anticipate first-quarter staffing needs.
Before the holidays, share your resume and portfolio, along with the types of roles you’re interested in, your salary expectations, and your availability. If you’d take a three-month contract with the right brand, say so. If you are seeking a remote role, say that too.
Sharing those details is especially useful if you’re open to different types of employment. Some companies need freelance or contract professionals to support year-end campaigns, product launches, or to provide temporary coverage.
Even if there isn’t an immediate opening that matches your background, a recruiter can keep your information on hand and reach out when a relevant opportunity comes up.
24 Seven recruiters specialize in marketing, creative, and technology talent and place professionals in full-time, freelance, and contract roles.
Connecting with us before the holidays means we can match you to roles that open in late December and early January without starting from scratch.
Ready to start your search? Explore open jobs at 24 Seven or connect with our recruiting team today.