Best Times To Find a Job and Where To Look
Written by
Karen Doyle
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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It’s true that the best time to look for a job is before you need one – in other words, don’t wait to get laid off or fired. But what time is the best time to look for a job during the year? And where is the best place to look?
Here’s what you need to know about the best times to look for a job and where to look.
The Best Time of Year To Look for a Job
The best time of year to start your job search can depend on what industry you work (or are looking to work) in. Many companies have new budgets after January 1, sometimes including the funds to hire for a new position. Even if you’d be filling an existing position, the ripple effect says there’s a lot of movement in the job market in the first few months of the year. But don’t wait until the confetti has landed on New Year’s Eve to start looking – companies may post new jobs in November or December to find people who can start in January.
There will be some exceptions to this schedule, of course. Accountants, for example, are extremely busy between January 15 and April 15, and are unlikely to have the time to hire anyone during that time. If accounting is your field, you’ll want to start looking in November or wait until May. Retail tends to ramp up at the end of the year, so you’ll want to start looking around August or September.
Many businesses slow down in the summer, making hiring slow. The end-of-year holiday period is also slow in terms of interviews. Use these times to beef up your resume and do some research.
Where To Look for a Job
The best place to look for a job is – everywhere. If the job market in general or in your industry, in particular, is challenging, it’s doubly important to leave no stone unturned in your job hunt.
Use online employment sites like Indeed.com, Monster.com, and ZipRecruiter.com to set up alerts so you’ll be among the first to know when new jobs are posted. Work your LinkedIn network, your college alumni network, and your friends and family network.
Research the companies you’re interested in and look at the open positions posted on their website. Don’t be afraid to send a resume to their human resources department even if you don’t see something that matches your qualifications on the site. Just be very specific about how you can help the company with your combination of skills and experience.
As you’re looking for a job, try not to get discouraged if the market is tight. Remember, you only need to find one job – the one that’s right for you.Â
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