January is the best month of the year to reassess your career goals, as traditionally, people begin the new year by making resolutions and setting personal and professional targets. After the festive period, a brand new year promises fresh starts and helps create the right mindset for looking for a new job. In this article, we consider why January is such a good time to look for a new job and suggest some tips on giving yourself the best possible headstart to make a career change in 2023.
Why is January such a good month for finding new job opportunities?
January is a hectic month for recruitment agencies. As the hiring process usually slows in late November and December, January suddenly brings a surge of roles to be filled. If you’ve registered with a good recruitment agency, you will often have access to new positions through the agency before they are even advertised. A recruitment agency is more likely to remember you if you sign up during quieter periods. They will then have you in mind when companies start stepping up their recruitment campaigns later in the new year.
- New budgets are set in January and management teams prioritise the hiring process for the year ahead. They often look at future projects and consider team structures and how staff will manage new workloads.
- Hiring managers become more aware of staff shortages in January as companies take on new projects and workloads increase again. Pressures to recruit more staff members build up in January as managers focus on performance for the year ahead. They usually need to recruit professionals to ensure their current employees have enough support to handle new tasks.
- Hiring teams are more aware of the importance of staff retention and engagement in the current employee-centric climate and they face pressure to keep workloads feasible for existing employees. Finding qualified workers to fill gaps in the workforce has become essential for management as sustaining team loyalty and engagement from current staff has now become a big priority.
- Changing trends and mindsets within professionals in recent years means companies are aware of skills gaps and talent shortages and know they face competition to hire and interview the best talent promptly.
- In January, most hiring and senior management team members are back and can dedicate time to reviewing CVs and screening candidates. They can also make decisions more easily when they’re all back at work.
- Many professionals may have been disappointed in their end-of-year reviews and bonuses and often decide to leave their jobs. They usually wait until January before they hand in their notice, creating more job vacancies. From mid-January onwards, new job listings increase.
Tips for finding a new job in 2023
From early January, the recruitment process starts to gain momentum and candidates hear about jobs on the horizon. The new year is the ideal time to get in touch with recruitment agencies as agencies have relationships with various companies and are used to posting job listings quickly. They specialise in finding professionals to match specific roles. Initially, it can take time for companies to navigate changes and decide on their hiring strategies. However, towards the end of January, plenty of jobs are advertised. In the next section, we’ve put together some top tips to help you get started on your job search.
What are the best ways to get a new job in 2023?
Reassess your career path early. Leaving your job is an important step. Evaluate why you’re going and what you hope your new job will offer you. Consider the salary and how much you prioritise work-life balance and value a positive working ethos. When you have a clear idea of the role and the company that matches your career aspirations start researching recruitment agencies and job listings.
Nine steps to help you find a new job in 2023
Check out the nine steps below to help you get started:
- Start early. Some companies start their hiring process in December to get ahead of the competition. The end of the year is full of distractions and often means fewer people are focused on applying for jobs. Even if you’re not quite ready to start applying, it’s helpful to read job listings and research the prerequisites of the jobs that interest you.
- Update your CV. Tailor your CV carefully to meet the requirements of the job listing. It’s worth checking out how the company processes applications; if they use a specific format and software to identify keywords, ensure you are familiar with it and include the key terms in your application.
- Write a carefully worded cover letter to make your application stand out. Include a sentence or example in the letter showing you have researched the company well and to show recruiters that you want to work for the particular company.
- Check your professional social media profiles. Make sure your LinkedIn profile highlights your most relevant skills. Employers will often check out your social media pages, so ensure that all your career socials are attractive and portray you in the best possible light.
- Spend time curating your website or portfolio. Ensure that it includes the most up-to-date projects you’ve completed and highlights your most relevant career experiences to date.
- Network widely. Take advantage of any networking opportunities in your area and introduce yourself to experts in your field. Career fairs can be an excellent place to start and you will pick up tips and ideas on what employers in your sector are looking for in professionals. Tell as many people as possible what you do and what career possibilities interest you.
- Find platforms and forums where experts in your field hang out online. Often jobs are discussed online and these locations can be fantastic opportunities for meeting people in your area of expertise. Build up your contact network on LinkedIn and scour the job listings.
- Update your skills and fill in any skills gaps you have. A wealth of highly sought online certifications and accreditations are available to study online. With a little research, you can find out the best qualifications for the role you seek and complete them online at your own pace. Many of these skills will give you a competitive edge and show your employer that you have initiative and are dedicated to your profession.
- Research the company thoroughly first. Take time to understand the company values and mission statement and ensure that the company culture aligns with your values. If possible, talk to someone who works in the company already.
Once you’ve researched and taken all the steps, send in your CV or contact a recruitment agency. Be positive and confident that the right role is out there for you. If you’re interested in finding a job in the finance or legal sector, contact us today.
For more guidance on reassessing your career goals and finding new opportunities in 2023, get in touch with Alessandro Binetti.
+356 2034 1700