Looking for a new job is always challenging. Whether it’s your very first job, or you find yourself feeling stagnant at your current place of employment, few candidates realise that knowing when to start looking for a new job is just as important as knowing where to start looking.
So, when is the right time to start your job search then?
To ensure the success of this journey you are about to embark on, it’s important to be certain this is the right time in your career to make a move. Because if you want to find or change jobs you must know for sure that you are moving forward and not sideways in your career. If it’s a change you’re seeking, then take some time out to find out why you’re unhappy at work.
Is it the location? Do you feel like you need to work on newer projects? Maybe the company is still using tired, old tech or your boss won’t allow you to grow and develop in your current role. Once you’ve understood why, you’ll have a better idea of which direction you want to move in your career. Your reasons for wanting to leave will help you to refine your search by job type, location, salary expectation, and even perks.
I’m ready for a new job! What now?
It’s never a good idea to dive straight into your job search without being properly prepared before you even begin, and it should go without saying that your CV must be up to date before you start applying.
A CV is a representation of you and your career. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s exactly what Hiring Managers do with your CV. It’s the only thing that stands between you and a call for an interview, so make sure there is enough detail and clarity for them to understand exactly who you are and what you have been working on (even if your only experience is high-school volunteer work and debating club prizes!). Depending on the job you’re looking for, you may be asked for your ID, qualifications and a few payslips, so get those ready too.
Right.
You know what you are looking for? Check.
Up to date CV and Documents? Check.
Ready to start your journey? Can’t wait!
Now that you’re ready, we can start applying, right?
Well, not so fast.
Recruitment has seasons and cycles that it helps to be aware of. Companies aren’t always hiring throughout the year and there are numerous factors that result in a company deciding to invest in hiring new staff or to hold off for a couple of months. This just means that there are periods in the year that are more active than others when it comes to job availability and recruitment.
How do you know when to start actively looking for a job?
January is known to be a slow month. Employers may take time to plan for the next 12 months, in addition, everyone is still buzzing from their holiday and they’d want to ease themselves into the next year, so things may take some time.
From February into the first half of the year, things start to pick up a little, you’ll notice more jobs pop up as the new fiscal year starts. During this period, there’s always a chance that there will be leftover requirements from the previous year. Some employees might’ve left, and/or there are a few positions could have remained unfilled during the holiday season. Employers will look to use their new allocated budgets for upcoming projects and start building internal teams for the successful growth of their organisation.
The season generally dies down in the middle of the year. This doesn’t mean there aren’t any jobs on the market, it just means you’ll need to look a little harder and be patient. This would be a good time to reach out to a company or a recruiter to let them know you are available.
As winter comes to an end and all the first-half reports have been analysed, now is your time to show your skills as employers look to reinforce their staff.
Remember those budgets they were allocated in March? They’ll want to spend it on filling those leftover requirements before the year-end holidays come around and we’ve all seen how everything comes to a standstill in December.
Preparation and timing are everything.
Whether you’re looking for your first job or a new job, it’s important to be prepared and dedicated to finding your new place of work. Spend time putting together an immaculate CV. Get in touch with a couple of recruitment agencies and company Hiring Managers and ask them exactly what makes a CV stand out. Do your research. But most importantly, don’t give up. If you are struggling to find a job, it could just be that the timing is not right, and that if you just persevere for a little longer, you and your dream job will eventually find each other.