Have you been led to believe that the festive period around Christmas and New Year is not the right time for job hunting?
There are boundless articles online that suggest you avoid the end of the year period for applying for jobs, with most reasons attributing to company personnel on-leave over the popular holiday period, or general activity in most workplaces declining.
These opinions often overlook the fact that now can be an excellent time to update your CV and start your job hunt. This article will help to shed some light on the myths around end of year recruitment and explain why you should begin job hunting right now, rather than waiting until January.
1. Businesses still have hiring budget to spend
Many articles suggest that hiring budgets will be drained by the end of the year and you should wait for the new year to begin job hunting.
The truth is, heads of department within any company will project what their hiring plans will be for Q1 - Q4 well in advance so that the yearly budget for hires can be approved by the Finance Director. Any hard-won hiring budget will need to be utilised at year-end to ensure a similar hiring budget can be secured for the following year.
However, recruitment doesn’t always manage to follow the carefully outlined plans. Some hires may take longer to recruit than others, whilst some candidates hired may end up not being the right fit for the business. This will mean that by the time the end of the year comes around, there can still be plenty of budget left for new hires, and hiring managers on the lookout for fresh talent.
2. You can be ready to start work in January
If you’re planning on leaving your job hunting until January, you may want to reevaluate that decision. January is often a very busy time of year for many companies and so managers may struggle to fit in interviews and training of new staff members.
The end of the year, especially just before the holiday period, can often be calmer in terms of workload, making it easier for teams to consider their recruitment for the year ahead. This makes it an ideal time for you to get in touch with companies and to start applying for jobs.
Many employers would like to hire new starters using a carefully planned hiring process that would ensure the right candidate is sourced the first time. Training can be conducted following a well-structured induction plan that will allow for new starters to be brought up to speed quickly and effectively.
If recruitment takes place at the end of the year, you can then be fully trained and inducted, so you’re ready to hit the ground running in January, just like the rest of the workforce.
The benefit to you of applying now, rather than waiting until the new year, is that the hiring process can be much speedier. You can expect a lower applicant rate and clearer calendars make it easier for interviews to be scheduled with the hiring manager.
3. You can beat the competition
If you wait till January to start job hunting, along with everyone else, your CV will be joining the hoard of other job hunter’s CVs on a hiring manager’s desk.
Use the myth that job hiring stops during the festive holiday period to your favour. While everyone else waits to start their job search in January, start your job hunt in earnest now. Fewer applicants mean more chance of your CV being noticed and a quicker hiring process. So, make sure you craft the perfect CV, cover letter and get job hunting now.
4. Businesses don’t stop just because it’s Christmas
Christmas is a huge national holiday and it is easy to believe that most employers will be winding down and not interested in conducting interviews during the festive season.
While this may have been the case in the past, in the digital 21st Century, businesses don’t come to an abrupt stop just because it’s Christmas. Resist your own temptation to stop completely over Christmas and New Year and start job hunting now.
Get job hunting now
Ignore the myth that hiring managers are not looking for candidates at the end of the year.
Businesses are still recruiting and are looking to get talent in place now for 2021. Put yourself ahead of everyone by updating your CV, attending networking events, scouring potential employer’s social media accounts, searching for jobs with Robert Half or conducting job searches on LinkedIn now.
You may even be able to secure a new job before the end of the year and start your new role in January – a new job for a new year.
