Powerful Reasons Why Job Seekers Should Not Wait Until January
One question I get asked frequently this time of the year is “Should I wait until January to job search?” I will explain why this is a bad idea and what you can do from now until January to help your job search build some momentum.
Let’s start with some of the objections that I hear most often:
What About My Bonus?
If you are just starting a job search now, it is not likely that you will secure a new role before the New Year. If you are in the middle of a job search already and are close to securing an offer, you may not need to start your role until January, which means that you can have the rest of the year to put in your notice and finish out strong with your current organization and receive your bonus. Typically, a new organization would prefer that you receive your bonus as well since they wouldn’t want a candidate to try to negotiate a sign-on bonus or additional compensation to make up for a lost year-end bonus.
No One Is Hiring
This is a myth! Companies are actively hiring now. Not every company can wait till January to fill their roles so it’s a fantastic time to capture these opportunities.
More Companies Will be Hiring in January
Maybe, maybe not. Do we have any proof or data to verify that objection? In my opinion, it doesn’t matter and here’s why:
If you see an open role, now is the best time to get a jump on it and get your application in- not later. By waiting until later, you can lose the opportunity but also…
In January the job market will become more saturated! Do you know what this means? More competition. So many candidates have the misconception that the New Year is the best time to start a job search (and so many New Year’s Resolutions!), by starting now you can get a jump start and get ahead.
No one is in the office/ everyone is taking time off/ no one wants to do interviews now
These are all basically the same objection at their core, which is saying that no one is around and by starting a job search now, a job seeker is entering a dead job market. New openings continue to be posted regularly so it shouldn’t stop you if you are truly interested in the role and qualified. Also, if you defer back to my previous thoughts, by waiting you risk losing out on the job as well as having to stand out in a more crowded marketplace.
As a Career Coach, I advise against a job seeker waiting until January to find a new job.
As a Career Coach, I advise against a job seeker waiting until January to find a new job because by waiting you are telling yourself that your goals can wait because you are not executing on them. By training your mind to think that way, you are not taking daily action towards that new job. Even if things seem to be a bit slower until the new year, it doesn’t mean that you should be waiting for what you want. It is best to start by taking small, daily steps towards what you want.
So, what does that you can do during this time?
You can network actively. This is a great time to meet with people in your network and tell them that you are grateful for them.
You can also network with professionals in the industry that you are seeking a new role in if you are changing careers.
You can also begin to pinpoint the type of role and industry that you are interested in. Many professionals know that they are ready for a new challenge and a new role but not all are sure what that next step looks like. If you are unclear, it is also a good time to work with a professional such as a career coach to help you gain an understanding. This will also help you take it a step further and consider your overall career path and career development.
You can then start working on your materials, such as your resume, LinkedIn Profile, and cover letter. Be sure that these materials are tailored for those roles of your choosing in order to help yourself stand out and be selected for an interview.
You can also brush up on your interviewing skills, especially if it has been a while since your last one.
Practicing, organizing, and coaching will put you ahead of the crowded market, set you up for success, and you will be prepared when you do receive an interview, whether that is before or after the New Year.
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