We have officially entered the festive window.
The Out of Office auto-replies are starting to spike.
Teams are heading out for Christmas lunches.
Decision-makers are mentally checking out or wrapping up for the break.
If you are a mid-to-senior professional looking for a new role, this can feel like a frustrating time.
You might feel like you should just put the search on hold until January 2nd.
Or conversely, you might be panic-applying to anything that moves, hoping to secure something before the year ends.
I want you to pause.
Sending applications right now is often a poor return on your investment.
Any recruitment efforts are focused on making offers right now vs filtering new applications.
This quiet period is actually a strategic goldmine if you use it correctly.
Instead of fighting the "application black hole," you should be shifting your focus entirely to strategy and networking.
This is how you get ahead of the January rush.
The January Rush vs. The December Strategy
Come January, the job boards will be flooded.
Everyone who made a New Year’s resolution to "get a new job" will be active.
Competition will be fierce.
But right now, in mid-December, companies are having budget meetings.
They are signing off on headcount for Q1.
They are discussing the gaps in their leadership teams.
These roles haven't been advertised yet.
They exist currently in the conversations of Directors and Heads of Department.
This is the Hidden Job Market in its incubation stage.
If you can get into those conversations now, or at least get on the radar of those people, you bypass the January chaos entirely.
The Iceberg Effect
Think of the job market like an iceberg.
The jobs you see on the public boards are just the tip sticking out of the water.
These are the roles that companies are legally required to post or haven't managed to fill internally.
Beneath the surface lies the other 80% of opportunities.
These positions are filled through internal referrals, headhunting, and professional networks before a job description is even drafted.
During my time in the corporate world, particularly in workforce planning, I saw this happen constantly.
A Director would say, "I need a new Programme Lead for the new year."
Before calling recruitment to post an ad, they would ask their leadership team, "Who do you know?"
Your goal is to be the name they mention.
How to access the Hidden Job Market
It sounds great in theory, but how do you actually do it when everyone is winding down?
It requires a shift in mindset.
You have to move from being a "candidate" to being a "connector."
Here is the step-by-step strategy I use with my clients.
1. Leverage Your "Warm" Market (The Festive Advantage)
This is the absolute best time of year to re-engage your network because you have a natural reason to do so. The Holidays.
As a mid-to-senior professional, you have years of connections that are currently dormant.
✅These are former colleagues you worked well with.
✅Peers from your university days or professional qualifications.
✅People you met at conferences or networking events five years ago.
Go through your LinkedIn connections or your old address book.
Identify where these people are working now.
You might discover that an old colleague is now a Senior Leader at a company you have always admired.
This gives you an immediate edge.
Re-establishing a connection is much easier than starting a new one.
Send them a message. (Don't just copy and paste, make it sound like you!
"Hi [Name], I saw you moved to [Company] recently, congratulations. I was just thinking about our time at [Previous Company] and wanted to reach out before the festive break. I'm looking at making a move myself in the new year and would love to hear how you're finding the culture there when things settle down."
You are not asking for a job.
You are wishing them well and asking for insight from a trusted source.
2. Create a Target List (Don't boil the ocean)
Once you have messaged your warm contacts, use the quiet downtime to be strategic.
Stop looking for "jobs" and start looking for "companies."
Identify 10-15 organisations that align with your values and your career goals.
✅Maybe they are competitors of your current/most recent firm.
✅Maybe they are vendors you have worked with.
✅Maybe they are companies you have simply admired from afar.
Be specific.
If you want to move into Fintech in London, list the top players.
If you want to stay in Risk & Compliance but move to a smaller firm, list them out.
3. Find the Right Humans
Most people make the mistake of trying to network with HR or Recruiters.
While they are useful, they are often the gatekeepers.
You want to speak to the decision-makers or the people doing the job you want.
Go to LinkedIn and search for the company.
Look at their "People" tab.
Filter by the department you want to work in.
If you are a Business Analyst, look for "Lead Business Analyst" or "Head of Change Delivery."
These are your peers.
They are the ones who know if a team member is leaving or if a new project is about to kick off in January.
4. The Outreach Strategy (The Non-Salesy Approach)
This is where my clients usually freeze.
They feel like they are begging for a job.
Let me reframe this for you.
You are not asking for a job.
You are a fellow professional in their industry looking to share insights.
The Connection Request Script
Here is a simple template you can use.
(As above, don't copy and paste. Put this in your own words and make it sound like you.)
"Hi [Name],
I’ve been following [Company Name]’s work on [Project/Topic] and really admire the direction you’re taking.
I’ve been working in the [Industry] space for 15 years and I’m looking to expand my network with other professionals in Belfast.
I’d love to connect.
Best,
[Your Name]"
Notice what is missing?
I didn’t ask for a job.
I didn’t attach my CV.
I just established a human connection.
5. The "Virtual Coffee"
Once they accept, your goal is to get a brief conversation. Perhaps scheduled for early January.
This is often called an "Informational Interview."
You are there to learn, not to pitch.
Ask them about their culture.
Ask them about the challenges their team is facing.
If you build rapport, they will naturally ask about you.
That is when you say:
"I'm actually at a bit of a crossroads. I'm exploring new opportunities where I can use my skills in [Skill A] and [Skill B]. Based on what you've said, do you know anyone else in the industry I should speak to?"
Does this actually work?
I can tell you honestly that some of the stories clients have told me about the opportunities they've created based on this technique have even surprised me.
And I’m the guy who recommends this approach!
I have seen clients secure roles that were created specifically for them, simply because they had a coffee with a Director who realised they solved a problem the company was facing.
These roles never saw a job board.
They never went through an agency.
They happened because two professionals had a conversation.
Companies love referrals, they are cost effective and often lead to talented hires.
This is a win win for everyone involved when you go down this path.
A realistic note on response rates
I want to manage your expectations here.
Will everyone reply to you?
No.
Most won't.
People are busy wrapping up the year, they miss messages, or they just aren't interested.
And that is okay.
Do not take it personally.
But for those who do take the moment to reply, it will be well worth the effort.
One good conversation is worth 50 online applications.
Consistency is key
You cannot send one message and expect a miracle.
You need to build momentum.
Set yourself a target of 10 new connections a week.
Over a month, that is 40 new people in your network who know who you are and what you do.
That is 40 pairs of ears on the ground hearing about opportunities before you do.
The Bottom Line
Use this festive downtime wisely.
Don't waste your energy on applications that won't be read until mid-January.
Use this time to build your strategy and your network.
You have the experience.
You have the value.
Now you need the visibility.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of networking or you don't know how to articulate your value once you get that meeting, let's have a chat.
Book a free 30-minute consultation where we can look at your current strategy and set you up for a strong start in 2026.
Enjoy the festive break, recharge, and get ready to uncover that hidden market.
