As with everything, professional resume writers and hiring managers agree that recruiting cycles have peaks and valleys. This is according to an article appearing in Monster and this article written by Career Sidekick Founder and Recruiter Biron Clark.
According to these articles, there is a consensus amongst career advisors and recruiters that winter is the best time of year to job hunt. This is true because hiring for long-term, full-time roles gets into full swing in January and continues well into February. Here are the 3 reasons why:
#1 Bonuses Have Been Doled Out
It is common for companies to hold off on distributing annual bonuses until December. Recruiters and HR departments are fully aware of this and recognize that many job seekers view them as “golden handcuffs,” in that they won’t even contemplate leaving until the funds clear.
Companies expect this, and often hold off on new hire recruiting until January. This is so that they can cast as large a net as possible to include those that held off until funds were safely deposited in the bank.
#2 Group Decision Making is Easier
When it comes to hiring decisions, decision making around phone screens, video interviews, panel discussions and one-on-one interviews, the input of more than one person is usually required.
Gaining this consensus is tough in December because so many people take time off or are focused on what they need to complete to wrap things up before the end of the year.
Come January, however, everyone is back, making winter the best time to job hunt and the ideal time to get a “Yes” from the greatest number of decision-makers.
#3 Companies are Ready with Plans – and Have the Money to Execute
January and February are often the months when companies get their new year or at least their first quarter budgets and forecasts. While most have had their 2023 goals planned since before January 1, it is not until now that the funds became available.
In other words, while leadership probably had a handle on what they needed from a hiring perspective to support their plans, now they know what they can afford. Any hiring activity previously delayed toward the end of the previous year (November and December) is now poised to move forward.
They are ready to interview and hire!
What You Can Do
While it’s OK to search company job boards and reach out to hiring managers and your network during the early part of the month, I recommend holding off until mid-January to send your resume
Don’t be surprised if you need to follow-up a few times after an interview. It’s a busy time of the year for hiring managers who have a lot going on in addition to filling these roles. If you haven’t received any feedback and it’s… Share on X
Work Timing to Your Advantage
The case for why winter is the best time of year to job hunt speaks for itself. While timing isn’t always everything, it can’t hurt, when it comes to a successful job search!
Previously appeared on IvyExec.com
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