Every year from about October onwards, I hear some version of the same thing.

“Yeah, I’m keen to chat… probably after Christmas though.”

This makes complete sense. It’s been a long year, clients want everything done before the shutdown, and updating your resume isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun December. It’s worth knowing that a lot of other accounting professionals in Queensland are thinking theexact same way. I know this because it has been the primary response to my calls.

EmPath may be a new venture, but this is not my first rodeo in EOY recruitment.

What January tends to look like

By mid-January, people are back from leave, the new year’s resolutions are in full swing, and the number of job applications triples (ish, I don't work in stats). Firms & recruiters that had a single handful of candidates in November suddenly have a pile to get through. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a great role. It just means the roles that everyone wants are more competitive than they were a couple of months earlier.

Hiring doesn’t stop in November (or even December)

It's a common assumption that hiring goes quiet towards the end of the year. in the big 2026, that is certainly not true - my clients would actually prefer to line up top talent to walk into 2027 ahead of the curve.

A fun bonus: fewer candidates are looking at this time of year, so the people who are, tend to get more face time with the firm and a better sense of whether it’s the right fit for the long term.

Looking isn’t the same as leaving

If you’re curious about what’s out there, you don’t have to rush into anything. Between notice periods and the Christmas shutdown, a conversation now often lines up with a new year start anyway. And if you’d rather wait, that’s completely fine too. It’s just good to know how the timing impacts you, before you decide.

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If you want to talk through your options, I’m happy to have a chat - ideally before the rush in Jan.

Em

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