Why Christmas and New Year Is the Most Common Time for Vets to Change Jobs
Every year without fail, the weeks between Christmas and New Year become one of the busiest periods in veterinary recruitment. While practices may feel quieter clinically, behind the scenes many vets are making big career decisions. As specialist veterinary recruiters, we see a noticeable surge in conversations, CV updates and job offers during this time — and there are very good reasons why.
1. Space to Reflect (Away from the Day-to-Day Pressure)
The veterinary profession is demanding, and for most of the year there is little time to pause and reflect. The Christmas period often provides a rare breathing space. Fewer routine appointments, annual leave, and time away from the constant pace of practice allow vets to step back and ask important questions:
Am I developing clinically in the way I hoped?
Do I feel supported by my team and leadership?
Is my workload sustainable long term?
For many vets — particularly those in the 28–35 age bracket who are thinking seriously about their future — these reflections lead to the realisation that something needs to change.
2. A Natural Career “Reset Point”
New Year naturally represents a fresh start. We are culturally conditioned to review goals, ambitions and personal wellbeing at this time. For veterinary surgeons who have been feeling stuck, under-supported or burnt out, the New Year can feel like a line in the sand.
It is very common to hear:
“I don’t want to go into another year feeling like this.”
This mindset often turns vague dissatisfaction into decisive action.
3. Burnout Becomes Harder to Ignore
Christmas can be emotionally and physically demanding in practice — emergency cover, staff shortages, and client expectations can all intensify. If a vet has been coping but not thriving, the pressure of the festive period can bring underlying burnout into sharp focus.
For many, this is the moment they acknowledge that their current role isn’t sustainable — particularly if:
Clinical interests aren’t being supported
Mentorship has dropped off
Work-life balance has eroded
Rota promises haven’t materialised
Changing roles begins to feel less like a risk and more like self-preservation.
4. Time to Have Honest Conversations
Time off over Christmas allows vets to talk openly with trusted people — partners, family, friends or colleagues — without the usual distractions. These conversations often validate feelings they’ve been suppressing.
Many vets tell us:
“I realised I wouldn’t recommend my current job to someone I cared about.”
That clarity is powerful and often prompts action.
5. Practices Are Actively Recruiting for the New Year
From an employer’s perspective, January is a key recruitment period. Practices are planning ahead for the year, setting budgets and filling gaps before they impact clinical standards or team morale.
This means:
More roles are available
Decision-makers are engaged
Employers are open to meaningful discussions around development, rota flexibility and progression
For vets considering a move, it’s one of the best times to explore options seriously.
6. Career Progression Comes Into Focus
For many vets — especially those who are ambitious and clinically driven — the Christmas period highlights whether their current role is truly helping them move forward.
Questions around:
Certificate support
Exposure to complex cases
Mentorship quality
Long-term career pathways
often become more pressing. If the answers aren’t reassuring, the desire to find a role that aligns with long-term goals becomes unavoidable.
In Summary
Christmas and New Year bring clarity. They slow things down just enough for vets to reflect honestly on their wellbeing, career progression and future happiness. When dissatisfaction has been quietly building all year, this period often becomes the catalyst for change.
If you find yourself thinking:
“I can’t do another year like this,”
it may be worth listening to that instinct.
Speaking to a specialist veterinary recruiter doesn’t mean committing to a move — it simply gives you the opportunity to understand whatcouldbe different.
And sometimes, that knowledge alone is the first step towards a much better year ahead.