When to Start a New Job Search

The Best Times to Start a New Job Search

When it comes to starting your job search, there’s no time like the present, except, maybe, if the present happens to be during a major life change, a big project at work, or the summertime.

The career experts say there’s really no right or wrong time to start and those job seekers should always be actively looking. The stars will never align perfectly in your job search and if you wait for them to do so, a great opportunity could be missed. But the experts also believe that certain times are more ideal than others for launching a new job search. For starters, you need to be ready and have time to devote to the process. Once a job seeker decides they want a new job, that’s the best time to look for a job.

Certain times of year are also better than others for job hunting. It may depend on your specific industry or job, but the summer and holidays tend to be slowest for hiring. The end of the year tends to be a slower time for new hires. Initiatives are wrapping up and budgets are maxed out. For companies on a calendar year financial schedule, new budgets start in January, which can mean funding for new positions. You should also take the holiday calendar into consideration when reaching out to people. People are focusing only on essentials in order to get away for a much needed holiday break. When they return from vacation, your note will be buried under a week of other e-mails.

Stay away from the formal part of the job search during the summer months, as many people are on vacation or putting off non-essential tasks in favor of getting out an hour or two early at the end of the day or week. Don’t abstain from the research and networking phases during the summer, that way you can hit the ground running come fall.

Here are other great times to start a job search:

After you’ve done your research. Even in a great economy, there’s no point in looking for a new job or career if you haven’t done your research. It’s essential that you know what you want to do and for what company. You must be prepared, which means knowing where to find out about jobs, having a totally complete LinkedIn profile, conducting informational interviews, anticipating interview questions, knowing exactly what the job entails, and doing as much company research as possible.

When the company or industry you’re interested in is healthy and hiring. If in your research you find that your dream employer has implemented a hiring freeze, you might be wasting your time pursuing a job there. Research the financial health and stability of potential employers.

When you really don’t need a new job. Perhaps the best time to look for a new job is when you don’t need one; you just want one. There’s a lot less pressure on you because your current job isn’t too bad and there’s no rush in getting a new one. You can take your time and if a great opportunity comes up you can take it if you want or you can wait for the next one. You’re in control.

Before you hate your current job. Some people wait until they hate their current job before they start looking for a new one. The problem is that they become stressed out and unhappy, and this comes across in subsequent job interviews. It’s best to start looking if you can see “the writing on the wall” at your current job, but before you become so miserable that it affects your job search in a negative manner.

After you’ve completed a major project for your present company. Perhaps you’re preparing for an upcoming sales meeting in a month. If you’re an integral part of the preparation and you start dividing your focus between your current job and on a potential new job, or leave before the sales meeting, you run the risk of burning some bridges. Try to avoid this if possible.

After the New Year. Sometimes, there’s a psychological boost when you start looking for a new job in January. You feel like you’re starting over and it’s out with the old and in with the new. Also, it’s possible that some hiring managers will be more focused on filling positions now that the holidays are over. New Year; new job; new outlook on life.

After you’ve taken that big vacation. If you have a big vacation coming up, it’s probably best to look for a job after you come back. You don’t want to get into a situation where you’re being considered for a job and then you have to inform them that you’ll be out a week or two right after you start your new job. The hiring manager isn’t going to want to train you for a few days or weeks and then have to stop until you get back. However, if an amazing opportunity presents itself just before your vacation, you should pursue it, and put your personal plans on hold, if necessary.

After a major life change (not during it). For the same reason you don’t want to start a job right before you go on a big vacation, you probably don’t want to start a job search while you’re pregnant, going through a divorce, or some other major life change. If you’re currently employed and the job hunt can wait a bit, hold off until your personal life calms down. Starting a new job requires an extra investment of time and effort. You need to prove yourself to your new employer, and that may require extra hours and limited flexibility until you’ve built trust and proven that you can deliver. That being said, if a personal situation will prevent you from investing appropriately, you may want to stick with your current role.

Job seekers who wait until they are laid-off or passed-over for a new position are at a serious disadvantage. Such job seekers usually need to find a job immediately; however, the typical job search can take anywhere from 90 to 180 days, or more, depending on the industry and location of the search. It’s best to have in place in the unlikely event you need it.

So, should you suddenly need a new job during the holidays or a major life change or some other less-than-ideal time there are things you can do to prepare:

Look for jobs while you’re still employed. Start looking in advance of your need. That doesn’t mean that you are actively searching or attempting to leave your current company, he adds. Just keep your eyes and ears open at all times for new opportunities.

Go on informational interviews. Consider conducting several informational interviews a year to informally gauge employment opportunities or positions that interest you.

Network. Network over lunch or coffee with hiring managers and recruiters to ensure that you stay on their minds if and when the need for a new job arises.

Assist others with their job search. Help others with their search, and put them in touch with the hiring managers and recruiters that you know. You will inevitably become a trusted resource to those with their pulse on the market and they will likely share opportunities with you first to see if you or someone in your network would be interested.