Is there a best time of the year to apply for jobs? In some industries, yes. But the answer to this question largely depends on you, your situation, and what you are looking for in your next role.
When is the best time of the year to apply for jobs?
If you are wondering about the best time of the year to apply for jobs, consider these factors when planning your job search.
Industry Trends and Peak Seasons
If you are in education or the agriculture industry, for example, you may see an increase in the number of available jobs due to peak seasons coming. If you are interested in accounting or bookkeeping work, you may see jobs posted at the end of the year or the beginning of the year as firms prepare for tax season. If retail or hospitality is your industry, seasonal hiring will likely increase in the fall and late spring in preparation for the holidays and summer travel, respectively. Analyze your industry and identify when roles related to your niche skills see an increase in demand.
Budget and End-of-Year Spending
Hiring surges can occur near the end of an organization’s fiscal year to help spend down budgets and prepare for the next fiscal year. Many organizations follow a calendar year for their fiscal year, but this is not always true! Take the government for example. A fiscal year is from October 1st to September 30th. As a result, figure out the industry norm for a fiscal year and watch the job market during the fourth quarter to take advantage of end-of-year hiring surges!
Personal Needs
The most significant factor I urge clients to consider when they ask about the best time of the year to apply for jobs is their situation and needs. Do you need to get to work immediately to pay bills, etc.? Or are your needs currently met, but do you feel it is time for more challenge, opportunity, etc.? The approach and urgency in a job search vary significantly from person to person.
If you are a working parent with school-aged children, perhaps the best time of the year to apply for jobs is January-April so you can secure a job and move during the summer so your children begin a school year at a new school. Or, maybe you are a sales professional and want to see the job through to end-of-year commissions and bonuses. Every job seeker’s situation is different and should be carefully considered when deciding how aggressively to pursue a job search.
Best Tips for Deciding the Best Time of the Year to Apply for Jobs
- Assess your situation. How urgent is your search?
- Analyze your industry, the fiscal year, and peak seasons.
- Carefully determine your needs for your next role. Articulate them clearly in a list.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn, and notify your references and network of your search.
- Set up job board notifications. Let Indeed, LinkedIn, etc., work for you in your search!
- Tailor your resume carefully for each job to meet applicant tracking system keywords.
- Keep a record of each position you apply to and save the position descriptions.
As you prepare for your next job search, realize the game has changed significantly with artificial intelligence and applicant tracking systems. I get inquiries from so many job seekers who are frustrated because they have applied to numerous positions and haven’t received any invitations to interview. The number one reason applicants get no response early in the job search is that their resumes never make it past the applicant software. To ensure your resume gets in front of the hiring manager, it must be carefully written and tailored.
Get Professional Help with Your Resume
Getting professional help with your resume is important to ensure you are visible among applicants. A lot of strategy goes into a well-written resume that appeals to both applicant tracking systems and human eyes. As a professional resume writer, I can optimize your resume for both! I analyze your experience and the job description to carefully craft questions and gather key information about your unique experiences and skills. Then, I write a tailored resume to appeal to human eyes and software! Together, we will review your new resume to check for accuracy and finalize the awesome new resume! Book your free consultation today to hear how I can help you get your next great role!
