The marketer called January the worst month for job search

January is traditionally considered one of the most difficult periods for employment due to increased competition and stricter requirements from companies. As Maria Andreeva, head of marketing and PR at Adviros, explained in an interview with Izvestia on December 14, since November last year, the number of vacancies on the market has decreased by 30% compared to the same period, while the activity of applicants, on the contrary, has increased.

"At the beginning of the year, the main focus of the business is shifting from external hiring to internal optimization, task reallocation and the development of its own employees through training and rotation programs," she explained.

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The seasonal lull is also related to the corporate planning cycle. In January, most organizations only approve budgets and HR strategies, so large-scale recruiting programs usually do not start until February. At the moment, employers are focusing on spot-searching for narrow experts to close critical positions with high competence requirements. The situation is aggravated by a behavioral factor: a large number of specialists are entering the market at the same time, postponing career changes until after the holidays, which creates a rush demand for a limited number of vacancies.

Despite the difficulties, the expert does not recommend postponing the search if you are not satisfied with your current job due to low wages, lack of prospects, or a poor corporate climate.

"Competition will only grow, especially in areas such as IT, marketing, PR, procurement and security. For successful employment in the current environment, it is necessary to be flexible, considering remote work or part-time employment options, as well as constantly updating your skills. The key requirement of employers is the ability to work with artificial intelligence, which is especially important for call center operators, accounting, industry and logistics," Andreeva said.

It is important to actively use professional social networks, participate in cross-functional projects and have a strategic approach to search, clearly defining career goals. Preparing a financial safety cushion and being ready for retraining will help minimize risks and adapt faster to changes in the labor market.

Ekaterina Stenyakina, a member of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs, reported on December 13, 2025, that if an employer delays payments, an employee may suspend work. To do this, it is necessary to notify the authorities by drawing up a written notice in two copies, on which you need to get the signature of the head.

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