You may have heard that the end of the year is a bad time to look for a job. With Christmas, holidays and the New year approaching, it’s often suggested that it’s best for job-seekers to wait until January. 

But that’s an urban job hunting myth – there are lots of reasons why the end of the year is actually a great time to job search. Here are some reasons why you should be on the front foot of your job search this festive season.

1) Many businesses don’t shut down – and many have increased business

While in certain industries – particularly parts of the corporate sector – the pace might slow down, for many businesses it’s the opposite.  Industries such as retail, food and holiday-based businesses have an increase of business during the summer season – and when they’re in need of great team members, they’re looking to make quick hires. Lots of employers, particularly small businesses, have also struggled this year due to COVID and are looking to adjust their schedules and make up for the lost time when they might have usually shut down.

For the companies where workflow does slow down, it means they have more time to focus on other tasks – such as hiring. Not everyone takes time off over Christmas.

2) Teams are preparing for the new calendar year 

At the end of the calendar year, teams and managers will be working on their new year goals and plans, getting ready to start the new year with a bang. 

Part of that preparation is reviewing their teams, the skills needed and available – and this can mean an opportunity for job seekers. If in need of new team members, managers will want to start the process in December – and hire, if possible! – so that they can hit the ground running in January. 

3) It’s halfway through the financial year

The end of December is also halfway through the financial year, which is a common time for employers to do a review of their budgets to see how they’re tracking. 

If it appears that they need more resources and has the finances to do so, they’ll be looking to onboard as quickly as possible before the next quarter starts. They may find there’s been savings or cost reductions along the way and have the budget to make the hires they need.

4) Gets you ahead of the competition 

A common New Year’s resolution is to find a new job, meaning it’s incredibly popular to search for a new job in January – so get ahead of the competition. Start job hunting in December and you’ll already be ahead by an entire month. 

Get in touch with us, and our Job Coaches can help you to:

  • Update or get your resume together 
  • Work on your interview skills and techniques 
  • Plan your travel and commute option 
  • Find upskilling or training opportunities 
  • Identify what work-related equipment you might need to help you succeed 

Through Disability Employment Services, Jobedge combines medical insight with expertise in placing people into work giving you the confidence that our step-by-step approach will find the right job for you.

If you want to start, but aren’t sure how, reach out to us. Our Job Coaches will be able to guide you and help you work out the best next steps. 

5) You can be ready to start in January 

Following on from that, if you get ahead of the competition and find a job that’s right for you, it means you can be ready to start in January. 

Businesses love having their team ready to go in January, ready for a fresh start. Meaning there is often an urgency to fill roles before the end of the year or budget quarter, putting December job-seekers at an advantage. 

6) People are in a festive mood

Often Christmas – aka “the most wonderful time of the year” – has a positive effect on people’s attitudes and moods. This year has been tough and a lot of people are looking forward to Christmas and New Years (even if it will look a bit different this year). 

With that positive spirit, it could be a good time to connect with hiring teams while they’re feeling festive and generous. 

7. You’ll be making the most of 2020 

It can be easy to write off the rest of the year once December hits. Especially this year, when it’s been a hard year and we’re all a bit drained – but that doesn’t mean you can’t make this last month count. 

You’ll thank yourself in 2021 when you’ve made the most of the year and continued to chase your dream job. If you’re keen to do so, reach out and we can start searching for opportunities together. 

Remember: while the festive season is upon us, Christmas and holidays don’t start till the end of the month – there are weeks until then!

Get in touch with us to find out how we can continue to support you with your job search.

And from all of us at Jobedge, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and all the best with achieving your career goals!

More from Jobedge