We know the adage New Year, New Start, but there is a multitude of reasons why you should start your job search NOW.
As with many of our counterparts in the Contingent Recruitment and Executive Search industries, we start to notice a slowdown in activity towards the end of December. However, this slowdown is not evident among hiring managers, only job hunters. The jobs are still there, more than ever, so why do people put their searches on hold in December, choosing to wait until the New year to start their search? December should make for the optimum time to job hunt.
Recruitment Agencies and Executive Search firms will by now have growth plans in place for 2022. Budgets will be set so Hiring Managers will know what headcount they have for the year ahead. They will be hiring for 2022 now, so why not be a step ahead of the pack. There is always (a very welcome) rush of job hunters getting in touch in January, but if you speak to us now we will have more time to focus on you and your job search as it’s a quieter time of year (activity wise).
Beat the competition. There is less competition among candidates in December as most job hunters decide to sit tight until the New Year. If you make your move now you might sometimes find you are the only person going for that role, or in a smaller minority than you would be in January. December is the time to secure that coveted new Recruitment or Executive Search role.
January is a great month to be in place already to actually start in your new role. On your first day back after Christmas, sitting in a new office you will really get that feeling of New Year, New Start. You’re already there – rather than waiting until January to start the job search. It will feel less intimidating being the new hire – if you start on the first day back, as everything tends to feel a little bit new that first week back in January anyway. By February you will feel completely part of the team, especially if you were also involved in the Christmas party back in December!
With other candidates taking a break from their job search during the holidays, it is easier to stand out from the crowd and be ahead of the pack by January, when the rest of the talent pool is just making the decision to switch jobs.
December is traditionally the month of giving, caring, generosity and goodwill to all men (and women). What better reason to be interviewing now. Hiring managers are feeling upbeat and positive, looking forward to the holiday season and I am sure more likely to hire you and pay you well!
