The holiday season is often seen as a period of relaxation and celebration, but for job seekers, it can also raise concerns about whether companies are even hiring during this time.  

Historically, holiday hiring trends show a nuanced picture. While some industries slow down as the year draws to a close, others ramp up staffing efforts to meet seasonal demands or finalize end-of-year projects. Temporary positions tend to increase, especially in retail, logistics, and warehousing, as these sectors gear up for the busy holiday rush. But what about other industries—those that may not be traditionally associated with the holiday hiring frenzy? 

Whether you’re looking for temporary or permanent employment, opportunities may be more available than you think, particularly in certain specialized industries.  

Specialty Chemicals: Sustaining Through Year-End in Niche Markets 

In the specialty chemicals sector, the holiday season does not necessarily mean a slowdown, especially in niche markets such as flavor and fragrance, adhesives, cosmetics, and additives. These industries can experience increased demand as companies prepare for product launches or meet year-end production deadlines.  

• Flavor and Fragrance: The flavor and fragrance industry plays a crucial role in food and beverage production, personal care, and household products. During the holidays, demand often spikes for products featuring seasonal scents and flavors.  

• Adhesives: The adhesives industry sees steady demand across numerous sectors, including packaging, construction, and automotive. Around the holiday season, the need for adhesives in packaging increases significantly due to the high volume of shipments and consumer goods that require secure and durable packaging solutions.  

• Cosmetics: The cosmetics industry often has its peak season around the holidays, as consumer demand for beauty and personal care products surges. Specialty chemical companies that supply ingredients for cosmetics are tasked with meeting increased production needs. 

• Additives: Additives play a crucial role in various industries, from food production to plastics and coatings. During the holiday season, additive manufacturers may experience an uptick in demand, particularly for products tied to food and packaging. For example, food additives that enhance flavor, texture, or preservation are in high demand as food producers ramp up for holiday meals and treats. Similarly, packaging additives that improve durability and appearance become essential for the influx of consumer products shipped during this time.  

In each of these niche markets, specialized skills are in high demand, and temporary positions offer both job seekers and employers the flexibility needed to meet seasonal production goals. Of course, specific hiring trends will vary by company and region. 

Insurance and Banking: Closing Out the Year 

Insurance and banking companies often push to finalize projects and meet year-end goals, which can create demand for temporary workers. This period can see a boost in hiring for administrative and customer service roles as companies look to handle increased customer interactions related to policy renewals, end-of-year financial planning, and regulatory reporting. Candidates looking for roles in administrative support, underwriting, or claims management may find opportunities in temporary assignments that extend into the new year. 

Another consideration is that these industries tend to have steady demand year-round, so holidays or not, if there are open roles to be filled, they will continue to actively recruit. 

Regulated Manufacturing: Steady Demand for Skilled Workers 

Regulated manufacturing, which includes industries like aerospace, automotive, and food manufacturing, tends to maintain steady hiring even during the holidays. BLS data shows that manufacturing employment remains stable year-round, with over 12.8 million workers employed in the sector as of 2023.  

These industries often operate on long production timelines, with strict adherence to regulatory standards that cannot be paused for holiday breaks. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for companies to rely on temporary staff to fill gaps caused by holiday absences or to meet year-end production goals. 

Pharmaceuticals: Keeping Up with Innovation and Compliance 

The pharmaceutical industry is another sector that does not experience significant hiring slowdowns during the holidays. Given the long timelines for drug development, testing, and regulatory approval, companies must keep operations running smoothly throughout the year.  

Temporary positions in research labs, regulatory affairs, and compliance departments are often available to help manage projects during the holiday season. This can be a great time for job seekers with relevant skills to secure short-term contracts that may transition into full-time roles once the new year begins. 

Non-Clinical Healthcare: Opportunities in Administration, Pathology, Patient Care, and Finance 

The healthcare sector, including non-clinical roles, continues to be a reliable source of employment throughout the year. The BLS projects healthcare employment to grow by 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.  

Non-clinical healthcare positions, especially in administrative roles, laboratories, and pathology, may see continued hiring during the holidays, albeit at a slower pace. Hospitals, labs, and healthcare institutions often require temporary staff to cover for permanent employees who are taking time off, ensuring that vital support functions remain uninterrupted. Roles such as medical coders, billing specialists, lab technicians, and administrative assistants may be filled by temp workers to keep operations running smoothly. 

Beyond these administrative and laboratory positions, there are also opportunities in patient care support roles. While clinical staff hiring is often ongoing, non-clinical patient care roles, such as patient coordinators or scheduling assistants, may also see an increase in temporary hiring during the holidays. These roles are essential for managing patient flow, organizing appointments, and ensuring that healthcare services remain efficient despite potential staff shortages during the season. 

Additionally, the accounting and finance departments within healthcare organizations often see increased demand for temporary support as they close out the fiscal year. Year-end reporting, budget planning, and financial audits may require extra hands to ensure deadlines are met. Temporary positions in accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, and payroll can be an entry point for professionals with experience in healthcare finance. These temporary roles offer a chance to gain exposure to the complex financial operations that support healthcare institutions. 

Medical Devices: Meeting Demand for Specialized Talent 

The medical device industry often requires highly specialized talent to meet its unique regulatory and production needs, even during the holidays. Whether in orthopedics, dental equipment, or drug delivery systems, finding professionals with the niche skill sets required in this sector can be challenging due to the high demand for these experts. 

During the holiday season, temporary roles in areas like quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and specialized manufacturing may become available. Companies in the medical device industry use temporary staff to help finalize projects, assist with regulatory filings, or ensure production continues to meet strict safety standards.  

Temporary positions in this industry are a great opportunity for job seekers to gain experience in one of the most regulated and high-stakes sectors. For companies, leveraging staffing solutions during the holidays can help maintain productivity and meet year-end goals without compromising quality or compliance. 

Wrapping It All Up: Holiday Job Prospects Across Industries 

While the holiday season may seem like a challenging time to find a job, many industries—especially those with regulatory and year-end production goals—maintain or even increase their hiring efforts. Temporary positions play a crucial role in keeping operations running smoothly during this period, offering job seekers valuable opportunities across a range of specialized fields. 

Staying positive and persistent is key no matter what time of year you find yourself in the job market. Don’t dial back your efforts during the holidays if you need employment. Keep in mind it is not only possible to find work, but it can even be a strategic time to enter the workforce, especially with the help of firms like Zing Recruiting that understand the unique demands of this season. See our current openings here!