Hopefully, your holidays were festive, but now it’s time to get serious. You have big plans for 2023 – personal goals and professional goals, too – to advance your career. If that means a job change, our advice is simple: don’t sleep on that job search. Get busy right now.
January and February are typically the best months to search for a new position.
Everyone is energized after the holiday lull
That means hiring managers are anxious to meet you (if you aren’t already on their radar). It also means lots of other great candidates are on the lookout for new opportunities. Maybe the job you want most. The early bird may get the worm, but you want a plum – a plum position that will challenge your skills and creativity with plenty of room to grow.
January is ideal for candidates
Often, employees know early on that they want to leave but are willing to wait until they receive their year-end bonus. That makes November and December a great time to research new opportunities and plant seeds with prospective new employers.
Or, maybe you weren’t sure about leaving. Fortunately, year-end is also a great time for reflection. If you used that time for career-related soul-searching and perhaps researching companies you’d love to join, you’re ready to get a jump on the competition now.
Still considering your options? The hiring market typically gets even hotter in February, so you still have time to calibrate -- refine your career goals, and think about what corporate attributes and atmosphere will help you thrive in your next position.
Note that the second-best time of year to look for a job is September/October. However, even if you have some compelling reason to wait until then to make your move, you still need to be in the hunt now.
January is ideal for companies
Many businesses align their fiscal year with the calendar year, and that means budgets are fresh and full as the new year gets underway. Let the hiring commence. Hiring managers must fill not only planned openings but also unexpected gaps left by employees who, like you, have decided to move to “greener” or more exciting career pastures.
Like many prospective candidates, hiring managers used the holiday downtime to assess their needs, knowing their budget would be approved come January. It is essential to keep the lines of communication open, as you may be a potential fit for upcoming openings. If they know you and believe you’re the best choice, they may push for even faster budget approval before some other company snaps you up.
Decision-makers at the company are back at work -- in the office or on tap remotely -- so companies can more efficiently schedule interviews to speed the hiring process. There’s a lot to be said for a compressed job search timeframe, but as a candidate, you have to be ready.
Re-engage (or team up with) a recruiting partner!
A trusted partner is just as valuable for job searchers as it is for hiring managers – maybe even more so. Here at Power-4, we have our pulse on the marketplace every day of the year. We know about the company hiring plans, when positions will be coming open later in the year, and – since we get to know you well -- we know in detail which roles and companies will be most attractive to you. So stay current with your recruiting partner, especially regarding any changes to your contact information or desired job details.
In this turbulent economy, we’ve found that many employers are taking on more consultants in lieu of permanent full-time hires. This can work to your advantage in two ways:
- This could get you in the door with your first-choice employer, effectively on the job before budgetary FTE approval becomes effective later in the year. The company won’t risk losing you, and you won’t have to take a second-choice position to keep your career moving forward.
- You can take on a fixed-period, project-based position to fill the gap while you’re searching for the ideal next role. You’re making money, keeping your skills sharp, and making new contacts. You could very well decide this approach suits you, and we can continue matching you with consulting positions as you finish each project.
If you’re waiting for companies to post a position, you will miss out. You need to meet them now. By partnering with Power-4, you become part of our talent pool that reaches actively-hiring companies in tech, life sciences, and other important industries.
Other ways to make this January pay of
- You can expect your current employer to step up their retention game. They know it’s less expensive and less stressful to keep you on board than to replace you. But here’s the thing – if you are serious about advancing your career and you’ve determined that going elsewhere is best for you, don’t give in to an “oh please don’t leave” counteroffer. If you stay after all, you’re likely to regret it.
- Update your LinkedIn profile. It’s an invaluable networking tool and helps you in both passive and active job searches.
- And just in case you do see a great job posted, have your resume ready so you can respond right away.