Why the End of the Year is the Best Time to Look for Jobs
Hello, job seekers! 🙋♀️🙋♂️
Ever thought the best time to look for a job was during the peak hiring season? Think again! Have you ever considered shifting your job hunt towards the end of the year? Shocking, right? Here's why wrapping up your job search along with the year could be a surprising boon to your career hunt.
According to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, about 19.3% of hiring for the year tends to take place in the fourth quarter. With that sizeable chunk of job openings happening at year's end, there's no better time than now to polish off your resume and ready your application materials.
Less Competition
First and foremost, the number of job applicants dips dramatically during the holiday season. According to Indeed, job searches dramatically decrease starting from Thanksgiving and do not return to normal until after New Year’s. This reduction in job hunters means fewer candidates per opening and a significant advantage for those who keep up their search through the holidays.
Budget Refresh
With the advent of a new fiscal year, budgets are realigned and reset, creating opportunities for new positions to be filled. Companies looking to expand their workforce or replace outgoing employees will have "use it or lose it" budget dollars that often prompt late-year hiring.
Networking Opportunities
The holiday season is synonymous with mingling, albeit virtual or in person. Holiday parties and end-of-the-year catch-ups are the perfect platforms to network and express your interests or plans for an impending job change. According to Career Sidekick, networking is one of the most successful ways to job hunt, with 85% of jobs being filled via networking.
Access to Hiring Managers
Believe it or not, as the pace of business slows down, decision-makers who would otherwise be too busy to look through resumes and interview potential candidates might have more open schedules. Consequently, this could speed up the hiring process, leading to quicker job offers.
Still believe the myth that companies don’t hire in December? Time to think again. Beating the myth and the competition might land you a shiny new job just as the new year rolls in. As we draw towards the end of the year, grab a gingerbread cookie, get your applications ready, and prove the statistics right!
Happy job hunting! 🏢🚀
