The increased competitiveness and the importance of every detail in today’s job market in Cyprus are no secret. To increase your chances of success in your job search, it is important to take into account a range of factors that, at first glance, may seem insignificant or secondary. In reality, however, these factors are often what make the difference between success and failure.

One of these factors is purely related to timing, as each period in the job market is different and comes with its own particular characteristics that need to be considered.

The focus of this article is the mobility of the job market depending on the time of year, as it does not follow a stable or balanced pattern.

More specifically, what happens and how does the job market move before, after, and during the holiday period?

The Christmas period may practically unfold over the course of a single week, but in recent years, its preparation and overall impact last at least two months. From advertising campaigns and special offers to many other activities, the impact of the holidays is clear and influences our daily lives on multiple levels.

Naturally, the job market is no exception. Through a series of chain reactions, it is significantly affected, something that is clearly reflected in statistics and studies.

According to recent data, during the holiday season, hiring worldwide decreases drastically despite increased demand, leading to frustration among many candidates. This decline stems from several factors, including the need for budget reallocation, which prevents most companies from proceeding with new hires. Additionally, being aware of the heightened activity during the holidays, many companies plan ahead by completing their hiring before December, resulting in fewer recruitments during the festive period. Finally, this increased mobility, combined with the holiday schedules followed by most businesses, significantly complicates the administrative aspects of hiring. As a result, most recruitment processes are postponed until the new year.

Based on the above, it is clear that increased activity is observed in the job market before and after the holidays, while during the festive period hiring slows down considerably. Specifically, studies show that January is the month with the highest number of hires after September.

With all the above in mind, it is time to apply this knowledge to your own holiday job-search plan.

Starting with the sector you wish to pursue, you can determine whether it would be better to look for a new job before or after the holiday season. Sectors such as retail or tourism, as a general rule, seek new full-time or part-time staff before the holidays in order to cope with the increased activity and demand that follow the Christmas period.

On the other hand, for office-based roles, January offers a good opportunity for a fresh start without the pressure and subsequent disruption of the holidays. Many companies, before Christmas, are under pressure and experience an increased workload as they try to deliver projects and close outstanding obligations before the holidays. As a result, your onboarding may not be a priority for colleagues or managers.

Whatever your professional goals are, achieving them goes through Ergodotisi, the number one job-search platform in Cyprus. It gives you access to thousands of job listings every day and makes your search easier through a range of innovative and user-friendly features.