Between spending money on travel, buying presents and cranking up the heat to fight off polar vortexes, the holiday season can be an expensive time of year. If you have been out of work or looking for a new job, the mounting expenses can be especially stressful. But there is some light at the end of the holiday tunnel–the new year is one of the best times of year to get hired.
Here are 3 reasons why right now is the perfect time to start your job search.
1) January is one of the busiest seasons for hiring
Depending on the industry, the end of the year can be a quiet time for many businesses. Things tend to slow down as managers, employees and clients go on vacation. This can make it difficult to get all the decision-makers required to sign off on a new hire in one room. As a result, vacant positions can sometimes go unfilled in December until everyone is back in the office and ready to tackle the new year.
Besides the timing of vacations, the beginning of the year is also when many businesses need extra help. The first three months of the calendar year (January, February and March) are also the last three months of the fiscal year (the calendar most businesses use). In those three months businesses have to make a last push to meet whatever goals they have set for the year. For many businesses, this may mean hiring.
According to a Survey of over 1,900 Canadian employers by Manpower Group, January 2017 looks like it will be an even better time to start your job search than previous years. 11% of employers in Canada intend to increase the size of their workforce in the first quarter of 2017 . This is the highest increase in three years.
All this new year’s activity adds up to one thing for job seekers–more opportunities in January.
2) It’s a resolution time of year
As one year ends and another one begins it can be enlightening to reflect on the past and try to figure out ways to improve your situation for next year. A popular way to express this reflection is through New Year’s resolutions.
Although New Year’s resolutions are not necessarily the best way to ensure you achieve your goals–one survey suggests that only about 8% of New Year’s resolutions are successful–they can be useful for helping you figure out what you want. If you’re looking for a job, ask yourself what kind of job you want and what practical steps you might have to take to achieve that goal.
If you’re thinking about finding a new job in the new year, you aren’t alone. According to a survey by UK Business Angels Association, nearly 20% of those polled have “find a new job” or “change career direction” as a new year’s resolution.
This means that although there are more opportunities available in the new year, you will also face more competition for those opportunities. That’s why it’s important for you to be properly prepared for your job search in the new year.
3) You need to update your resume
Your resume may not be something you want to think about while you’re recovering from a turkey hangover or planning your New Year’s Eve party. But, the new year (or the end of the previous year) is a great time to spruce up your resume.
In general, you should try to make sure that your resume is up-to-date. Having a scheduled time for updates will help you set time aside and not put it off. You may decide to update your resume once a month or at the very least, once a year.
The end of the year is a good time to look over your resume. As the calendar rolls over from 2016 to 2017, some of the references in your resume may be outdated and need updating. While you’re changing all the “2016”s in your resume, you should read through everything and make sure it’s accurate and correct. Ask yourself some questions about your resume and make sure it’s the right version to send out for the new year.
January is one of the best times to land a new job and right now is the perfect time to start looking. If you’re struggling to find work, need help with your resume, unsure about your interview skills or just don’t know where or how to start looking, contact us to learn about how our free services can help you find a job in the new year.