Most people think December is a write-off for job hunting or career planning.
“Everyone’s clocking off.”
“Hiring freezes are everywhere.”
“Hiring Managers don’t look at CVs until January.”
But the reality? December is one of the most underrated months of the year to get ahead.
Whether you’re planning your next career step, thinking about freelancing in 2026, or simply wanting to start the new year feeling organised rather than overwhelmed, December gives you space, momentum, and opportunities that many miss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t sleep on it:
Hiring Doesn’t Stop – It Just Looks Different
While some sectors slow down, many companies push to get roles filled before budgets reset in January. And in the presentations, creative, and marketing sectors especially, freelance demand stays steady as teams cover year-end workloads and kick off new projects.
This means:
- More freelance opportunities
- Fewer applicants than usual
- Faster interview turnaround
- Higher chance of being noticed
- Opportunities for January starts agreed before Christmas
December isn’t dead, it’s just quieter noise, which makes your application stand out more.
Recruiters Are Still Actively Shortlisting for January
Even though December feels quieter, recruiters and internal talent teams are actually doing a huge amount of behind-the-scenes preparation for January. This is the month when we tidy our pipelines, close off old roles, and prepare shortlists for new projects launching in early 2026.
Here’s what that means for you:
- Your CV gets more attention as fewer applications come in, so it’s much easier for your profile to stand out.
- Many January roles are already in motion long before the new year begins.
- You can get pre-screened early by recruiters
- By mid-January, inboxes explode with new applicants. December applicants skip the queue entirely
- You could secure interviews before Christmas or even have a January start date lined up and confirmed before the break.
If you wait until January to start looking, you join thousands of others suddenly doing the same, but if you start in December, you often land on the shortlist before the role even goes live.
You Can Actually Think – Without the Usual Chaos
The rest of the year can feel nonstop. December gives you breathing space to reflect on:
- What you want your work life to look and feel like in 2026
- What kinds of projects energise you (or drain you)
- Whether you want to move into freelancing or look at permanent opportunities
- Whether your goals still match the roles you’re applying for
- What salary, flexibility, or environment actually matters to you
It’s the perfect moment for honest career planning, not rushed New Year’s resolutions.
It’s a Great Time to Fix the Basics (Most People Don’t!)
Use December to tick off the things you always mean to do but never touch:
- Updating your CV with fresh achievements
- Refreshing your LinkedIn profile
- Cleaning up your portfolio or case studies
- Gathering new testimonials from clients or managers
- Preparing a “2026-ready” version of your showreel or presentation deck
- Getting your freelance paperwork, invoices, and systems in order
These are the kinds of tasks that make January SO much easier, and give you a head start.
Networking Opportunities Are Everywhere (and Much Easier!)
December is full of:
- End-of-year catch-ups
- Festive events
- Industry socials
- Informal chats over coffee or Zoom
People are generally more relaxed and open to conversation than at any other point in the year. Requesting a quick intro or chat suddenly feels natural rather than “salesy”.
This is a great month to reconnect with:
- Past colleagues
- Previous clients
- Recruiters
- Hiring managers you’ve worked with
- Creatives or marketers you’ve collaborated with
A simple “How was your year?” message can spark new work, or job leads for 2026.
Freelance? December Can Set up Your Whole Q1
For freelancers in presentations, creative, and marketing, December can be GOLD:
- Teams need last-minute support
- Budgets need spending
- Cover is needed when people are on leave
- Agencies ramp up for January project launches
Even if you don’t pick up work this month, being visible now means you’re top of our list in January.
You Start January Ahead While Everyone Else Starts From Zero
January feels overwhelming for most people because they’re building everything from scratch:
- Updating their CV
- Searching for roles
- Thinking about their goals
- Getting organised again
- Starting conversations from nothing
If you’ve prepped in December, January becomes:
- Follow-ups
- Interviewing
- Taking opportunities, not chasing them
- Starting your 2026 goals early
Your competition is still warming up while you’re already in motion.
So, to recap – December Is Only Quiet If You Make It Quiet
You don’t need to be switched on every day, as it’s still important to rest and enjoy time with the people you care about. But even spending a couple of hours in the coming weeks preparing, updating, or exploring new opportunities can completely change how you start 2026.
If you’d like support, whether you’re exploring freelance work, looking for a new role, or want a fresh pair of eyes on your CV or portfolio, our team is here to help.
Browse our latest roles here: https://wearedevonshire.com/job-search/
Or reach out to us at [email protected]