Job Search

Thinking of a new job in 2026? Now's probably a good time to start.

Thinking of a new job in 2026? Now's probably a good time to start.

The job market right now is tough. Good roles are competitive. Hiring processes are slow. And we’re heading into the most disruptive time of the year. Between now and mid-January, you’re going to lose weeks to annual leave, hiring freezes and end-of-year chaos.

So if you’re thinking of a move in early 2026, you want to start putting the wheels in motion now.

Here’s what I’d be doing.

Get Your LinkedIn Profile in Order

Before you start applying for anything, sort your LinkedIn profile out. It’s the first thing recruiters and hiring managers see when they look you up. It’s also how they find you in the first place.

  • Make sure your headline says what you actually do. Not “open to work”. Not “seeking new opportunities”. Use real job titles and keywords.
  • Update your job titles so they match industry language. If your internal title is confusing or vague, fix it.
  • Fill out your skills section. Add the ones recruiters search for. This isn’t the place to be humble.

Use the Featured section. Link to your CV, portfolio, or any posts that show what you’re good at.
This video should help you get your LinkedIn Profile in order and be more easily found by recruiters:

Switch on the ‘Open to Work’ Setting

You can do this without the green banner. There’s a setting that only recruiters can see. Use it.

It helps your profile show up in recruiter searches. That’s it. Nothing desperate about it. Just smart.

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Start Posting

You don’t need to become a content creator. But if nobody knows you’re looking, nobody can help.

A short post saying who you are, what you do and what you’re looking for is enough. Mention the type of roles you’re interested in, and include a line asking your network to share, tag or reach out.

Obviously if you’re secretly searching this becomes more difficult, so instead post questions or thoughts on your industry, make connections that way.

I’ve seen people get interviews off the back of one post. It works.

Reconnect with People

This is the bit most people leave too late.

You’ll get more opportunities from people you used to work with than from strangers. Not just your close mates. People you’ve crossed paths with, worked with briefly, or connected with a while ago.

Drop them a message. Something like:

“Hey, I’m starting to look for a new role in [industry/type of role]. If anything comes up or you hear of something, I’d really appreciate it if you kept me in mind.”

You’re not asking for a job. You’re just reminding them you exist.

Update Your CV

Not just a quick refresh. Properly.

Make it focused. Make it easy to read. Make it clear what you actually achieved.

  • Start with a short summary at the top. Say who you are, what you do and what you’re good at.
  • Add a list of key skills. Keep it relevant and easy to skim.
  • For each job, give a quick overview and list a few achievements. Focus on impact. Use numbers if you can.
  • Cut anything older than 10 years unless it’s still relevant.

If you need a decent CV template, I’ve got a free one that actually works.

Practise Your Interview Answers

Don’t wait until the interview invite lands to start thinking about this.

Get your story straight now. What you’ve done, what you’re good at, what you’re looking for. Then prep for the usual questions. Tell me about yourself. Strengths and weaknesses. Why this company.

Use the STAR method. Situation. Task. Action. Result. Keep your answers short and clear.

Here are some of the most common job interview questions and how to answer them:

Be Proactive

Don’t just sit on job boards and wait.

If there’s a company you’d love to work for, reach out. Even if they haven’t posted a role. Find the hiring manager or someone in the team and send a message.

Something like:

“Hi, I’ve been following your company and love the work you’re doing around [X]. I’ve got [Y] experience in [Z], and I’m starting to explore new opportunities. If you’re ever hiring for someone with my background, I’d love to send over my CV or connect for a quick chat.”

Will everyone reply? No. Will some? Absolutely. And that’s all you need.

Get Ahead Of The Competition

January is the most popular time of year for people to start job hunting. Which means it’s also the most competitive.

If you wait until the new year to get started, you’ll already be behind.

So if you’re even thinking about changing jobs in 2026, now’s probably a good time to start.

Start with these free tools that thousands of jobseekers use every week:

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