Should you wait until January to look for a new job?

With the excitement of Christmas just around the corner and a new year beckoning, it often seems easier to put any significant or challenging tasks on hold, particularly when it comes to our professional lives. The report that’s been sitting on your desk since November? It can wait! Those year-end performance reviews? Perhaps they can be postponed until the January rush subsides…

If we’re really honest with ourselves though, we all know that January isn’t the best time of year to rely on our internal motivation. As the temperatures get frostier and everything looks that bit bleaker without the twinkle of Christmas lights, summoning the momentum to kickstart those career goals can be an uphill battle.

If you’re in the market for a new job, just imagine how great it would feel to know your year will be off to the best start possible with a new role full of promise and possibilities, rather than weekends and evenings spent trawling job boards and filling out applications. And there are plenty of other reasons not to delay your job search till January too, as we’ll explore below!

1) Companies are hiring now 

It’s true that many companies will receive updated budgets and sales forecasts in January which may lead to an increase in available roles. However, it’s also the case that many companies must hire by the end of the year due to budget restraints. Many are also keen to hire someone who won’t technically start until the new year, so they’re not dealing with the hassle of filling positions when they return after the Christmas break. And with the UK’s job market remaining historically active despite a rise in redundancies, there’s no shortage of opportunities out there. If you halt your job search for the next three or four weeks, who knows how many opportunities you may miss out on? 

2) t’s easier to stand out from the crowd 

Come January, as we all embrace the “new year, new me” mantra, the market will be flooded with candidates. It’s an unfortunate reality that some of these candidates may be more qualified than you, or simply perform better at interview. However, with most of these candidates taking a break for Christmas, by applying now, you can be the one with the competitive edge. 

3) Temporary positions could become permanent 

 Many companies hire temporary positions this time of year, particularly those who experience an influx of sales leading to Christmas. This is an excellent opportunity to take on a new position, do a great job, and demonstrate that you’re someone who could be an asset to the team permanently. You might even be given the chance to apply for a more advanced role than the one you took on originally. Even if it isn’t possible for you to stay on, it could lead to some useful connections or recommendations, plus some valuable experience. 

4) It’s best to act while you have motivation 

We all know that January feeling. Christmas is over, we’re feeling the guilt of overindulgence, and it’s colder than ever outside. It’s emotionally and psychologically draining. Whilst we’re supposed to feel a rush of energy and a willingness to make much-needed changes in our lives, many of us end up feeling too down to pursue our goals. Sure, rejection around Christmas can be difficult to deal with, but it’s arguably even harder to deal with in January when it feels as though there’s less to look forward to. The key to successful job seeking is persistence and patience, so if you’ve already started your search - or even simply thought about your next career move - it’s better to keep up the momentum you’ve already built rather than trying to force yourself to get back into action after a long break. 

What’s the best time of year to look for a job?

The truthful answer to this question is that it varies year to year. It’s also worth bearing in mind that every industry and position is different. In general, however, there are some trends for jobseekers to be mindful of. 

January and February

We’ve discussed some of the reasons there are downsides to searching for a job in the new year, but if there are specific reasons you’d prefer to wait, you should still find plenty of available roles during this period, mainly due to budget renewal. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that employees returning from the Christmas break generally take a few weeks to reorganise their workflow, therefore it may be worth waiting until mid-to-late January to begin applying in earnest. One of the other downsides to applying for a job at this time of year is that companies generally have plenty of time and resources to put into choosing the right candidate, so things may move at a slower pace. 

March, April and May

The season of rebirth and hope, spring is generally a good time to apply for jobs, as the late winter hiring season often lasts well into early summer. However, the most competitive positions are normally filled earlier in the season, so waiting until May could mean you’re faced with less promising roles. 

June, July, and August

Around this point, we’re all taking our well-earned summer holidays. This means that companies have fewer people available to review CVs, choose candidates, and plan interviews, which could mean that the process slows down significantly. Additionally, many companies will by now have filled critical positions that arose at the start of the year, and will instead likely be investing time and money into planning new products and services, or preparing for seasonal hires. 

September and October

Autumn is not only Pumpkin-spiced latte season, but hiring season too! Holidays are over, kids are back at school, and people are refocusing their efforts and energy back into work, refreshed and relaxed. Companies are eager to get ahead and be prepared for the busy season over Christmas, and some hiring managers will be looking to use up what’s left of their budget, so as not to face cuts the following year. All of these factors make this an excellent time of year to apply for a new position. 

November and December

We’ve covered some of the reasons these months may be a surprisingly promising time to look for a new position, however, there are a few downsides to applying for a job towards the close of the year, too. Some companies might be facing budget constraints, and professional life can take a backseat for many as Christmas draws near, which can sometimes mean that fewer positions are being advertised. Ultimately, delaying the search for your dream job is never a good idea. If you’re ready for a new challenge, take action today so you can begin the new year excited to start something new! 

Looking to get a head start in the job-hunting rush? We’ve hundreds of positions available in industries such as accountancy, human resources, marketing and digital, IT, and many more. Alternatively, you can search all our positions here, or register with us.