How February can be a make-or-break for employees

For employers, locked budgets, growth plans, and client availability are top of mind in February. But for employees, this can mean the timing is right to start the job search.

February marks the true start of the year for many, as momentum, routine and school return. The first of the second month also provides a numerical start that, for many, January doesn’t.

A recent poll from people2people Recruitment revealed that, with the overwhelming start of the year over, economic caution, AI disruption and changing employee expectations are taking top billing in worker concerns.

Many feel ready to put thoughts into action, and according to people2people, February, in particular, is the time to turn passive interest into selective action.

Contemporary worker priorities include job security over flexibility, pay confidence over lifestyle benefits, and career pathways over brand or prestige. These all represent responses to existing financial and workplace concerns that collide with the annual reset.

According to people2people, this signifies an opportunity for employers. Reportedly, businesses that hire early before competing offers are made, are upfront about job stability and growth expectations, offer realistic hybrid arrangements, and clearly explain the role within the business, win talent.

To capitalise on this trend, people2people recommended making and executing recruitment plans before the end of January, engaging recruiters while talent pipelines are open, making career progression apparent to existing staff and using flexibility as a retention tool.

Changing jobs hasn’t been the sole reaction to increasingly uncertain times – as reported earlier this month, a “job-hugging” phenomenon is taking place. As the name would suggest, many are remaining in less-than-ideal jobs or compromising on once-desired perks for the sake of financial security.

Others were clearly emboldened by these factors to make a change. People2people revealed strong demand exists in AI and tech, risk, compliance and operational leadership, and revenue-driving or transformation roles.

The takeaway, people2people highlighted, is that clarity and security reign supreme. The businesses that provide structure in a timely way win the top employees, and for workers, February may just be the right time to take the risk.