Ask the Expert: Is Winter a Bad Time to Look for a Job?
It’s amazing how many times we have people reach out and say that they want to work on a new resume during the winter, but that they don’t intend to send it out until the spring. There must have been some unwritten law that we all heard about years ago that said winter is a bad time to look for a job.
We’re here to tell you that is definitely NOT the case! Winter is actually a great time to look for a job, and there are several big reasons for this:
Reason #1 - Updated Budgets
Most companies create an updated budget during the first few months of the year. Executives are calculating how much they have to spend on salaries and this often leads to a hiring push. Of course, you want to give them some time to come back from the holidays and settle back in, but by late January or early February, you should start to see more opportunities open up as a result of these updated yearly budgets.
Reason #2 - All Hands Are On Deck
Another big reason that hiring ramps up in January and February is the fact that a lot of executives and HR personnel are back in the office, eager to make decisions and get the ball rolling in the new year. Most people take a lot of vacation around the end of year holiday season, so they’re much less likely to take vacation in the first few months of the new year. Everyone is motivated by their goals for the new year, and they’re looking to put together a team that can help them reach these goals!
Reason #3 - Spots Open Up
In addition to growing their teams to reach new goals, executives and hiring managers are also looking to fill vacancies at the start of the year. The very end of the year is a common time for people to give their resignation because they tend to wait until they receive their yearly bonus. This end-of-year attrition leads to more opportunities for job seekers in the beginning of the new year. As soon as people are back in the office, they start to post these job openings, and you should be ready to jump on them right away.
Are You Job Hunting?
If you’re currently looking for a new job or considering leaving your job for a new opportunity, we would love to help you prepare! First, you’re going to want to make sure you’re coming across as polished and professional online. Google yourself to see what comes up.
Next, do an audit of your social media feeds. Recruiters and hiring managers WILL search your name on social media. Make sure your photo is professional and that nothing diminishes your reputation on your page.
Here’s a tip: Facebook allows you to view your profile on the public setting so you can see exactly what someone who you are not already friends with will see when they visit your page. It is a good idea to do this every once in a while. If there’s something you wouldn’t want a hiring manager to see, delete it or at the very least, change the privacy settings to “Friends Only.”
Get That Resume Updated
Updating your resume is not just about adding your most recent job and updating your address. Of course, these things are important, but you also want to make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out from a design perspective. You also want to take time to customize it for each of the jobs you apply for, using relevant industry-focused keywords.
Don’t forget the cover letter, too! You want to make sure it’s compelling and tailored to the position you’re applying for. It should prop up everything that’s in your resume without repeating the same points and it should really showcase the value that you would bring to the company.
Of course, we’re here for you if you need help. We offer resume packages that include a customizable cover letter, a thank you letter template, job search strategy sessions, and LinkedIn profile optimization. We want to help you land your dream opportunity, no matter what time of year it is.