December is quiet for most people. For smart job hunters, it’s the best time of the year to get ahead. Every January, UK employers release thousands of new roles as fresh budgets are approved and 2026 headcount plans go live. Reed.co.uk and LinkedIn data consistently show that job postings spike by 35–50 % in January  compared to December. The problem? Applications explode by even more – often 200–300 % – as New Year’s resolution job seekers flood the market. The winners are