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10 Weeks Until Christmas: How to Secure a New Job Before the New Year
With just 10 weeks until Christmas, many of us are getting ready for the festive season—but this is also the perfect time to secure a new role before the year is out. We’ve seen firsthand how local companies across Staffordshire and Cheshire ramp up their hiring ahead of the new year.
Now is the time to act if you're looking for your next career move. So, we’ve put together some practical tips, drawing on our experience of helping people just like you land their dream job—before the Christmas lights go up!
Why the Next 10 Weeks Are Crucial
Having recruited in Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 25 years, one thing we’ve learned is that many businesses are very active in their hiring right up until Christmas. There are over 20,000 small businesses and 1,200 medium and large companies in our area alone. From our conversations with local employers, we know many are eager to have new starters in place, ready for January.
So, whether you’re seeking a permanent position or open to temporary work, here are some steps you can take now to stand out and secure a job before the new year.
1. Give Your CV and LinkedIn a Refresh
First things first—let’s get your CV and LinkedIn profile up to date. We always tell candidates this: hiring managers are receiving more applications than ever, so you’ve got to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. From our experience, tailoring your CV for each job can make all the difference.
Many businesses in Staffordshire and Cheshire use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so make sure your CV includes keywords from the job description. This will help ensure you pass the first hurdle and land on the hiring manager’s desk.
If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn profile in a while, now is a great time. Highlight your latest achievements and be clear about the type of role you’re looking for.
2. Take Advantage of Temporary Roles
We can’t stress this enough—don’t overlook temporary roles at this time of year. In Staffordshire alone, with around 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses, many are looking for extra help during the busy festive season. Temp roles often turn into permanent opportunities, and we’ve seen it happen time and time again!
If you’re open to temp-to-perm roles, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door and show an employer what you can do. The flexibility and short-term commitment could work in your favour.
3. Tap Into Your Local Network
Having worked in recruitment in the local area for so many years, we know how important networking can be. Cheshire and Staffordshire have close-knit business communities, and many opportunities arise through personal connections. Start by reaching out to three people in your network today—whether it’s a former colleague or someone you’ve connected with on LinkedIn.
We’ve often had clients call us about roles before they even go live. That’s why networking is so important—it gives you a head start before anyone else even knows about the opportunity!
4. Set Up Job Alerts for Staffordshire and Cheshire
One of the simplest things you can do is set up job alerts on LinkedIn, Indeed, or other job boards. This ensures you don’t miss out on any new roles across our region.
When you’re busy or when the holiday season gets hectic, having job alerts set up saves you time and ensures you’re always in the loop for the latest opportunities in Staffordshire and Cheshire.
5. Get Interview-Ready Now
As hiring speeds up in the run-up to Christmas, many employers may want to move quickly. That means you should be ready for interviews at short notice. We always tell our candidates—if you get called for an interview, be prepared!
Our advice: Practice answering questions about your key achievements and think about the value you can bring to a new role. For interviews, remember to highlight the skills employers in our region are looking for, such as adaptability and teamwork.
Whether it’s a face-to-face or virtual interview, have a quiet, professional space set up at home. We’ve seen more employers in Staffordshire and Cheshire move to virtual interviews, so make sure your tech is working smoothly.
6. Don’t Wait for January – Apply Now!
Every year, we hear from candidates who say, “I’ll start my job search in January.” But trust us—the best time to apply is now! Once the new year hits, competition ramps up, and you’ll be competing with more candidates.
By starting your job search now, you’re getting ahead of the January rush and giving yourself the best chance of securing a new role. Plus, wouldn’t it be great to relax over the Christmas holidays knowing you’ve got a new job lined up for the new year?
Our Final Thoughts
We’ve lived and breathed recruitment in Staffordshire and Cheshire for over two decades, and we know the local job market inside out. Businesses across the region are actively looking for new talent right now, and the next 10 weeks could be crucial in helping you secure your next role.
Whether you’re looking for temporary work to get your foot in the door or aiming for a permanent position, now is the perfect time to act.
Let us help you make your next career move—get in touch with our team at Appointments Personnel today, and together, we’ll ensure 2025 starts off on the right foot for you.
