Is December a Great Time to Find a Job

It’s almost the new year and that inspired me to write about the most common question related to job search that is on peoples mind around this time of the year. About now is when most people wonder if it’s even possible to find a job in December or if they’re just wasting their time by applying. The short answer is that December is neither the right or wrong time to search for work. In actuality it’s a bit of both.

Here are the reasons you should look for work in December;

Seasonal Work

A lot of industries are at their busiest during this period. If you want to work in commerce/retail, hospitality, or a similar industry, then December is the time to do it. Companies really need more hands on deck. It’s known as seasonal hiring and it’s when a company will hire temporary employees to work the busy holiday period. Seasonal hiring mostly happens around December. Seasonal work is a fantastic way to get some money in your pocket and get a head start working for the company you’ve been dreaming of working with.

The Jobs Being Posted are Open

If you find a job at the start of December then the company posting it will likely be in a hurry to get it filled before the holidays, which makes it more likely that you’ll hear back from them.

Less Competition

There’s far less competition when applying for jobs in December. Most people already have a job and are preparing to pick up their bonuses. They aren’t interested in changing companies before getting it. Most people also feel that December is a bad time to find a job, meaning that you have less candidates to compete with. Recruiters tend to have more trouble filling open roles in December, meaning they are more open to talking to people that might not have the right background and those sending cold emails.

Spend Longer Putting Together a High Quality Application

Most people have more free time during the holidays because they have more days off. If you’re someone that typically has a very full schedule, then you may find you have more time to put together a high quality application during December.

On the other hand, here is why December isn’t the best time to find a job…

There Aren’t as Many Job Openings

The amount of open jobs tends to dip at the end of the year. Companies start filling spots during the first half of the year, which is when the budgets get approved. While not every job can be filled in during January, companies will hardly wait until December to fill in a position. With less jobs being posted you’ll have a harder time finding something specific. The good news is those jobs could quickly appear in January and February.

Most Recruiters are On Vacation

Don’t forget that recruiters go on vacation just like everyone else. The best time to take these days off is across the holiday period as recruiting slows down. This means you could be left waiting longer to hear back from a recruiter and push through the hiring process.

Upcoming Vacations can Affect Start Dates and Giving Notice

There’s a good chance you have a pre-planned vacation in December that you’ll need to work around should a job offer come your way. You may have to wait a while to give your notice and begin working at your new job. Your own vacation can get in the way, but don’t forget that your manager might also be on vacation. That can affect when you are able to give your notice and make the transition. You should have no problem as long as you explain the time restrictions when you get the offer as most hiring managers and recruiters are going to understand your situation.

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