Every January, the same question quietly resurfaces.
“Is now the right time to move… or should I sit tight?”
For experienced specialists and senior professionals, the question rarely comes from dissatisfaction alone. More often it comes from something subtler:
a sense that the market is shifting, budgets are being reset, and decisions made in the next few months could quietly shape the next few years of a career.
But here’s the part most career advice gets wrong.
January is not when the smartest professionals rush to move. It’s when they position themselves.
Why does January feel so unsettling (even if nothing’s “wrong”)?
January creates contrast.
On one side, organisations are announcing new strategies, investment priorities, and hiring plans. On the other, many professionals return to roles that feel… unchanged.
That gap triggers questions:
Am I building experience that still matters?
Is my role aligned with where the market is heading?
If demand shifts this year, will my skill set travel with it?
This discomfort isn’t a warning sign but a sign that you’re becoming more market-aware.
And that awareness, if handled well, is an advantage.
The January myth: “Hiring explodes, so you should move fast”
Let’s challenge a common assumption.
Yes, hiring happens in January, but not in the way most people think. What actually accelerates in January isn’t job offers, it’s intent.
Globally, we’re seeing organisations hire early in the year when:
Budgets are finalised
Headcount is quietly approved
Hiring managers define what they really need, not just what they advertised last year
Recruiters map who they’ll want to speak to before roles go live
By the time many roles appear publicly in February or March, many candidates are often already in conversation.
This is why January rewards information-gatherers, not panic movers.
Is it risky to move in an uncertain market?
It can be if you move blindly.
But uncertainty doesn’t remove opportunity. It changes how opportunity shows up.
In shifting markets, employers value relevance over rigidity.
If your experience spans evolving sectors, regulated environments, or complex delivery, demand is often stronger than headlines suggest.
The real risk isn’t exploring options.
It’s staying static while the market evolves around you.
Should you move jobs just because it’s January?
No. The calendar alone is never a reason to change roles.
A better indicator is pattern repetition:
Progression has stalled for more than one review cycle
Your role hasn't evolved while the market has
You're no longer building experience that compounds
January simply makes these patterns harder to ignore.
What if you are not ready to move yet?
That can actually be an advantage. Exploring the market doesn’t mean committing to change. For many experienced professionals, Q1 is about:
Understanding the current market value
Testing how transferable their skills really are
Identifying gaps before they become limitations
This is the kind of insight that leads to more confident decisions later, whether you move in March, September, or not at all.
How do you know if you should start exploring options?
Ask yourself honestly:
Do I know where my role leads over the next two to three years?
Would my experience still be in demand if my sector shifted?
Am I gaining experience that increases my future options or narrows it?
What is the smartest way to approach a move right now?
Be intentional.
January is about positioning, not rushing.
The professionals who make the strongest moves later in the year usually start with quieter conversations earlier on.
Speak to people who understand:
How markets are evolving
Where skills are gaining value
Which opportunities never reach job boards
At Vallum, this is where we add value, not by pushing moves, but by interpreting the market so professionals can make confident, informed decisions.
Ready to see what your options look like?
January is a powerful time to gain clarity, whether that leads to a move now or a smarter decision later in the year.
If you want to understand where your experience could take you next, explore the opportunities currently living on our jobs page. Global markets are active, but they favour professionals who are informed, well-positioned, and selective.
