Should You Keep Job Hunting in December? A Headhunter's View
The office is winding down. Half your network has an out-of-office on. And everyone seems to agree that nobody hires in December, so you might as well wait until January.
It's tempting. But December can work in your favour, whether you're available now or on a notice period. This article explains what really happens to hiring at year end, and why starting before your performance review and bonus puts you ahead.
Key takeaways
Hiring slows in December but rarely stops
Available now? Aim for a January start
Most candidates wait for reviews and bonuses
Start now, ahead of the post-bonus rush
Plan around leave, bonuses and notice periods
Every year, around this time, I hear the same thing from candidates: "I'll start properly in the new year."
I understand why. It feels like the market goes quiet. Emails take longer to get answered. Interviews get pushed back. And there's a natural pull towards switching off.
But January is when the job market gets crowded. LinkedIn research published in January 2026 found that more than half (52%) of professionals were looking for a new role in 2026, and 65% said finding a job had become harder, with competition the main reason.
For the senior roles I work on, most candidates have a three-month notice period, so December works in two different ways. If you're available now, you can be one of those January starters. If you're on notice, December is when you secure a role that starts after Chinese New Year or after your bonus is paid.
In nearly 18 years of recruiting senior candidates in Asia, I've seen December work very well for people who keep going.
A few years ago I managed a team that included an HR recruiter who placed more candidates in jobs in December than in any other month of the year. While most of the market slowed down, she sped up. She spoke to clients who were competing with much larger companies for the same talent, and advised them that December was the best time to hire: less competition for candidates, and more time to meet them properly. Her clients secured strong people ahead of the new-year rush. Her candidates secured offers while everyone else was still waiting for January. If you're looking now, you're exactly the candidate those hiring managers want to meet.
Does hiring really stop in December?
No. Hiring slows in December, but it rarely stops. Roles that are approved and budgeted still need filling, and many companies want shortlists ready so new hires can start early in the new year.
The wider market supports this. In Singapore, there were still more job vacancies than unemployed people in mid-2026: 1.48 vacancies for every unemployed person in June 2026, according to the Ministry of Manpower's Labour Market Report.
At the end of the year, I typically see three types of hiring:
Roles that must be filled before year end, often because a budget or headcount will lapse
Roles approved for next year, where the hiring manager wants interviews done before the holidays so the new hire can start in Q1
Urgent replacements, where someone has resigned or a hire has fallen through, and the business needs cover quickly
Available now? Why December is your best chance of a January start
In December, we see an increase in roles for candidates who are immediately available or on short notice. When someone resigns at year end or a planned hire falls through, the business needs a person in January. Someone on a three-month notice period can't normally start until April.
This gives three groups a real advantage right now:
People between roles, including those affected by restructuring this year
Contractors and interim professionals who can step in for a project or maternity cover
Candidates on short notice periods
It isn't only about who's free. We also see more clients willing to buy a candidate out of their notice period when the role needs filling quickly. If you're on a longer notice period but the fit is right, it's worth asking whether that's an option.
If you can start quickly, say so clearly. Put your availability at the top of your CV and in your LinkedIn headline or About section, and mention it in the first line of any message to a recruiter. In December, "available immediately" can move you to the top of a shortlist.
If you're on a long notice period, this matters too. Hiring managers who need someone after Chinese New Year or annual bonuses know they have to start talking to people now.
Why is year end a good time to start looking?
Because most of your competition hasn't started yet. Many professionals won't look for a new role until they've had their performance review and been paid their bonus. If you start now, you're ahead of them.
Performance reviews. Many people sit tight until their year-end review, hoping for the promotion or the pay rise. When the promotion is "next year" again, or the rise is lower than they hoped, that's when they start looking, and the market suddenly gets busier. If you start before your review, you're already in conversations while everyone else is updating their CV. And if your review goes well, you've lost nothing. You'll negotiate from a stronger position.
Bonuses. Many candidates are waiting for their annual bonus before they resign, and hiring managers know it. They plan around it: they interview now and agree start dates after Chinese New Year or once bonuses are paid. So waiting for your bonus is no reason to wait to start looking. The candidates who secure the best roles interview while they wait, and resign once the bonus is in the bank.
What this means for you: fewer candidates in the market, hiring managers with more time, and the chance to secure your next role before the post-bonus rush.
How do you make job hunting in December work for you?
Use December to build momentum rather than to send hundreds of applications. Focus on conversations, preparation and timing, so January turns into interviews.
Get your CV and LinkedIn ready. If someone looks you up over the holidays, make sure they find a clear, current profile. My guide to optimising your LinkedIn profile covers what recruiters actually look at.
Reconnect with your network. End-of-year messages feel natural. A short note to a former boss or colleague can open a door.
Talk to the right recruiters. Search firms are still briefing on roles in December, both for January starts and for roles starting after Chinese New Year.
Follow up on live applications. A polite nudge before the break can keep you in mind. Here's how to follow up on a job application without being pushy.
Prepare for January interviews now. Write down your achievements, your numbers and your reasons for moving while you have time to think.
How do holidays and bonuses affect your timing?
Holidays and bonuses don't stop a move, but they change its timing. Plan around annual leave, bonus payment dates and notice periods so you don't lose money or momentum.
A few practical points:
Expect slower replies. Decision-makers take leave, so a process that takes two weeks in March can take four in December. Silence doesn't always mean no. I've written about why you don't hear back after an interview and what usually sits behind it.
Know your bonus date. In many organisations, bonuses are paid in the first quarter. Find out what you'd give up by resigning before that date, and raise it early with any new employer.
Check your notice period. If you're on a three-month notice period, an offer accepted in January may not mean a start date until April. Hiring managers know this, which is exactly why they start talking to people in December.
Be flexible on interviews. Offer video calls and early morning slots. Making it easy to meet you shows you're serious.
Final thoughts
December isn't a dead month for job hunting. It's a quieter one, and that can be an advantage.
If you're available now, December is your best chance of a January start. If you're on notice, it's when you secure the role that starts after Chinese New Year or your bonus, before everyone who waited for their review and bonus joins the market.
If you're thinking about your next move, you can see our current jobs, and if you know someone who should be having this conversation, our referral scheme rewards introductions.
If you found this useful, you may also find these helpful. 6 Daily Job Search Habits That Actually Get Results on building a routine that works. How to Increase Your Interviews in 30 Days on turning applications into interviews. Why Applying for Jobs Online Doesn't Work Anymore (and What to Do Instead) on where the real opportunities are.
FAQ
Is December a good time to look for a job?
Yes, for many professionals. If you're available immediately, December is when roles starting in January are filled. If you're on a notice period, it's when you can secure a role that starts after Chinese New Year or your bonus, before most candidates start looking.
Should I resign before or after my bonus?
In most cases, it makes sense to understand your bonus date before you resign. Discuss it openly with a new employer early in the process, as some will take it into account in your offer.
How do I follow up on an application over the holidays?
Send one short, polite message before the break, and another in the first week of January if you haven't heard back. Keep it brief and restate why you're interested in the role.
Do companies hire in December?
Many do, particularly for approved roles and urgent replacements. Processes move more slowly because of annual leave, so expect longer gaps between stages.
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