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When is the best time to go job-hunting?

Writer's picture: Antonise De WetAntonise De Wet

It's said to be best to avoid businesses around the holidays and the quiet time at the start of every year. It appears that some months are better than others for finding a job because recruiters frequently advise doing so in the summer or around the conclusion of the fiscal year. The months of January and February typically see the biggest hiring. This is primarily due to fresh employment budgets that are implemented at the start of each new year. Many corporate workers, including hiring managers, return from their holiday breaks around this time of year. In addition, as business slows down in the winter, there is more time for labor-intensive tasks like writing and posting job openings.



There isn't a single hiring season because every sector and job are unique. But many experts concur that, for a variety of reasons, the start of the year is an excellent time to seek for a new job.


"Teams are acquiring new momentum, adding on new employees to meet their goals while a business is growing during the transition into the new year and into early February," said Valerie Streif, senior content manager at mock interview platform Pramp.


Each month's hiring-related benefits and drawbacks are different. What to anticipate throughout these particular seasons is as follows:


Winter

December has historically been the slowest month for hiring. As they plan for the holidays and take trips out of state during this month, people typically use the majority of their vacation time. The atmosphere at the office is more laid-back. As they get involved in holiday activities, employees frequently work at a slower pace, which departments frequently notice. December is a good time to schedule medical procedures if you have already met your insurance deductible.


Despite the fact that January and February are regarded as the best months for hiring, you can encounter slower than typical response times during the first two weeks of January as workers come back from holiday. But generally speaking, these are the greatest months to hunt for job openings if you're trying to get employed. Hiring managers are motivated to do the responsibilities they have been putting off at the start of a new year. Updated budgets that enable managers to make crucial choices like hiring more employees are a big source of motivation.


Since employees are returning to the workplace and operating at their normal pace in February, it is the best month of the year to look for employment. Job postings made in January attract a lot of applicants by February.


Spring

Even though companies hire more new team members in January and February, spring still is a good time to apply for jobs. The late winter hiring season surge typically lasts well into early summer, allowing hiring managers time to advertise new jobs.

On the other hand, the good job openings are filled earlier in spring, and waiting until April or May will yield less promising roles.


Yet, the biggest benefit of applying for a job during May is the sense of urgency. Many hiring managers are planning their summer vacations, while executives spend more time networking, raising funds, and planning the release of new products and services. They simply do not have the time to take their time with each candidate, which means the hiring process may be faster and less in-depth.


Summer

Unfortunately, summertime is not the best time of year for job searching. Most companies spend their human resources budget well before the summer hits.


This means hiring managers and recruiters no longer actively search for candidates during the hottest months. Whether this is due to lack of resources or busier schedules, it depends on the company. Most major corporations spend their summer months preparing for seasonal hires, analyzing trends, and preparing reports for the C-suite. Job applicants should expect very few positive opportunities during these months. If companies do list open positions, they more likely will be entry-level and minimum wage.


Keep in mind that every business has particular requirements that don't necessarily correspond to fads. Even if it may take longer during the months with the most excitement and work-related distractions, you may still get employed at any time of the year. Additionally, COVID-19 will probably continue to have an effect on vacation and travel, making it difficult to forecast hiring rates.


Fall

The fall hiring season offers hope for job seekers. In terms of recruiting activity, September and October frequently resemble January and February. People are once more returning from vacations and are therefore more focused on filling vacancies. As children return to school and the weather becomes cooler, individuals are motivated to take action during the fall months. Before winter arrives, there is a sense of pressure to get things in order.


Due to the approaching Thanksgiving holiday break at the end of the month, hiring activity starts to decline in November, and people start to consider taking additional time off from work.


When should you start looking for a job?

Choosing how long in advance to start looking for a job presents one difficulty in determining the optimal time to do so. One to three months before to your desired employment start date is the optimal time to begin your new job search. For the majority of professionals, two months is probably the ideal period to start looking for a job. Three months might limit your options, while one month might make you feel rushed.


Getting ready for a job search

Now that you are aware of the ideal period for job searching, it is time to update your CV and get ready for interviews. Now is the ideal time to update your LinkedIn profile if you haven't done so in a while. To start networking with people in your industry, use LinkedIn and professional associations. Before you begin distributing your resume, compile a list of references and letter of recommendation from individuals. To find out what kinds of positions are available, peruse job boards early.


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