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Hunting for your dream job may often seem like a never-ending process. Though when you will have to start searching for a job isn’t always within your control, you can certainly boost your odds of landing that dream job of yours by knowing which times are better than others when it comes to getting hired.
Whether you are a C-level executive looking for a better opportunity and a meatier pay package or a fresher just out of college who’s trying to find the first job, knowing the best times to look for a job can help. Though your job search should be a consistent and continuous process, knowing the optimal times to look for a job could help you understand when to look forward to a boost in openings, which can give a fillip to your job search.
Not sure how to know the best times for a job search? We bring you a brief glimpse of how recruitment works at most companies so you can prepare for your job search accordingly and give yourself a better chance of bagging that coveted role.
Focus on the End of the Year
“No one hires during the holidays.”
“Job listings vanish in December.”
“Hiring is sluggish at the start of each year.”
“Workforce budgets aren’t decided until January.”
Though there’s some truth in the above statement, it DOES NOT mean you should stop your job search in the winter, especially ahead of the holidays. Instead, you should pick the pace so that when the period of slow hiring gives way to the quick pace of work as people return from their holidays ready to resume work, you are in a favourable position.
Not sure what that means? It’s simple – start your job search at the year-end. Why? We bring you the top three reasons.
1. Hiring Budgets Get Finalised
Several companies update and decide on their hiring budgets by November and will post new job ads in December, as they expect to hire in January and February. Year-end is usually the time to search for jobs, especially if you seek full-time positions.
Apart from the company budget for hiring getting finalised, this time is also when existing employees change positions or start work to meet their New Year resolutions of finding better jobs, which creates more job openings for the aspirants.
It helps to start a bit early though instead of waiting till the last few days of the year because you will need to get several things in order to brighten your chances of landing the dream job in January or February. This includes polishing your existing bland CV into a killer one (by highlighting skill updation or new skills and certifications acquired), optimising your LinkedIn profile, and connecting and networking with people of interest on the platform (recruiters, HR professionals of companies you are eyeing to land a job in, past employers or colleagues who could give you referrals, etc).
2. Companies Prefer to Plan Ahead
Apart from setting their hiring budget, companies also plan ahead regarding their hiring needs and resources. For example, companies looking to hire short-term, seasonal, or long-term employees for their new or existing projects in the upcoming year will set their goals and plans and take steps to ensure their talent pipeline is full.
They are likely to revisit their conversations with headhunters and recruiters, their in-house hiring managers, and even tap into their professional network for referrals to shortlist candidates they will approach sometime after the New Year rolls in.
To get on the radars of these people (headhunters, hiring managers, etc), you must start your job search early on toward the year-end and let people know (and even remind the ones you have already contacted or connected with) that you are on the lookout for a new role.
3. Give Yourself the Time Required
Finding a new job is a common New Year’s resolution for many, which means job searches surge in January. By starting before the rush period, you can stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, you will give yourself the time needed to find a suitable job and even serve your notice period.
It’s important to remember that there’s no magic wand that can help you bag your coveted job overnight. Instead, it’s a calculated game where preparing ahead gives you a big advantage so that by the time the sluggish pace of hiring picks up, you are positioned favourably in the queue of job aspirants.
Final Words
Year-end revelries don’t begin until Christmas. This means you can focus on your job search before the festive season rolls in instead of stalling your search and lagging behind other job aspirants once the hiring season picks up.
If you have been wondering when to start your job search, now you know that the end of the year is when you should focus on your search to find that coveted job. In case you need an expert’s help finding your dream job, you can always reach out to us at InHunt World!
This article was written by Sonali