Welcome to 2023! As the year begins, we continue to deal with the impact of inflation on the economy (and the job market). Job seekers may find it helpful to know when the best times to look for jobs is as the new year begins. As many organizations start a new fiscal year in January, you may find more openings are available in the comings months.
Let’s take a look at the best timing as 2023 approaches for job seekers as well as some insider job search tips.
Always be open to looking for a job
For the best chances at securing a job offer, it is always best to consistently seek out and apply for jobs that fit your preferences, location, background, and skills. Knowing the best times to look for a job may help you expect a boost in openings and aid in your job search.
The best time of year to find a job
Did you know that companies tend to hire most in January and February? This is mainly because of new hiring budgets that go into effect at the beginning of a new year. This is also the time of year that many corporate employees, including hiring managers, return from their holiday vacations. As work slows down during the winter months, more space is created for time-consuming projects like writing and posting job openings.
A seasonal guide to job searching
Every month has unique advantages and disadvantages for hiring. And here is what you can expect during the next quarter:
Winter
Historically, December is the slowest month for hiring. People tend to use the bulk of their vacation time during this month. This is because many travel out of state and make plans for the holidays. The office environment feels more relaxed and it is common for departments to notice employees working at a slower pace as they become involved in holiday activities.
Although January and February are known as the top months to get hired, you may experience slower than usual responses the first two weeks of January as employees return from vacations. However, if you’re looking to get hired, these are still the best months to go after job openings. The new year pushes hiring managers to accomplish the tasks they’ve been putting off due to updated budgets that allow managers to make important decisions, like hiring additional staff members.
These winter months are some of the best times to search for a job especially because workers are back in the office and working at their usual pace. Job listings posted in January produce a great number of candidates by February, which motivates employers to start scheduling interviews, and ultimately, hire new people.
Spring
The months of March, April and May are the next best time for getting hired. Management positions feel pressure to train new hires before the summer before vacations kick off as well.
Pro Tip: One thing to keep in mind when applying for jobs during spring is that the competition may increase, especially if a listing has been up since January. That’s why it’s important to update your resume and highlight any valuable experiences you’ve had that show you’re the best fit for the position.
How to Increase Your Ties When You Have Small Networks
If you have limited connections, networking with new contacts and decision-makers will increase your chances of leveraging new opportunities. Job fairs and private recruiting events give a candidate a leg-up, as they provide easier access to hiring managers, in-person and in one place. This is true whether you’re looking for a new job or considering a career change.
Pro-Tip: job fairs or private recruiting events can act as a shortcut to meeting the decision maker right away.
Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for jobseekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.
And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.