There are many varied factors involved in when is the best time to search for a job. Below is one perspective on job hunting and seasonality in Australia
New Year, new job: January and February
January to February is the busiest time of the year for recruitment and the best time of the year to look for a job. These are two of the best months to look for long-term, full-time jobs, as these are the months most companies receive updated budgets and sales forecasts. Executives have a better idea of what they need and whether they can afford to hire new team members. Career advisors consider these the top months for hiring.
Keep in mind that January starts slowly for most people. Employees returning from the Christmas break and school holidays will take a few weeks to reorganise their workflow. Accordingly, wait until the middle or latter part of January to send your resume out. Keep an eye on job boards and set up an alert so you receive up-to-date postings. If you want to hire a resume writer, get in early.
Fall into more jobs: March, April, and May
Even though companies hire more staff in January and February, autumn still is a good time to apply. The late summer hiring season surge typically lasts well into early winter, allowing hiring managers time to advertise new jobs. The biggest benefit of applying for a job during May is the sense of urgency. Many hiring managers are finalising end of year budgets and need to fill a certain quota before the beginning of the new tax year.
June, July, and August – but there are still jobs!
For those who are determined to find a new career or maybe recently lost their job, there are a few options. The ‘new financial year’ slowdown doesn’t mean that there are zero jobs, nor does it mean you won’t find a great opportunity. Applicants who use job boards or have a good relationship with their recruiter have a better chance than job seekers using the newspaper or local resources. Many recruiters search LinkedIn for potential candidates, even during their hiring freeze.
Springtime freshness: September and October
You’ve probably spotted a recurring pattern – the hiring season happens in waves. Spring represents the third, and final, hiring spree of the year. As businesses settle into a groove there tends to be a rush to fill positions before the Christmas slow down.
Another positive to spring hiring is the desire to use all resources. Executives figure positions still open at the end of the year are redundant and useless. Many hiring managers face a decision to fill positions or lose them entirely. Human resources are also pressed to fill vacant positions for those who fled soon after being hired earlier in the year.
Summer: November and December
Unless you’re looking for a seasonal job or other mediocre position that pays the bills, the beginning of summer marks the start of a slowdown. November is the beginning of the holiday season for most families. There are shopping lists to complete, travel arrangements to make, and parties to plan. Hiring managers start putting off recruitment and hiring tasks until the following year. Human resources often face budget constraints during the last two months of each year. Even so, this is one of the busiest periods for Republic Resume.
Preparing for the job search
The slow hiring months are optimal for preparing for your search and increasing your chances for winning that key position. Here are some tips to prepare for the job search:
Keep your resume updated. One of the most important aspects of any job search is updating your resume. Don’t wait until the last minute. Keep an updated resume template. You can use it to easily customise your resume to the specific job.
Increase your skills or add new experience. Education is a never-ending story. We must continuously upgrade our skills and learn new areas to advance in our careers. Increase your marketability by taking a certification course. Or add new abilities to your portfolio by taking a night-time business class at your local college.
Sometimes, the hardest part of job hunting is simply getting started. You may draw a blank while editing your resume. Many times, our schedules get in the way of preparation and career advancement. Schedule some time each month to upgrade your skills or practice a mock interview. Never give up. Starting the search, regardless of the time of year, isn’t easy. It takes time and patience to succeed.