A new year brings new opportunities, and this is true on the work front as well. Many people spend the holidays thinking through their goals and aspirations and enter January, ready to take the next step. Employers are also ready to hire, with fresh budgets and forecasts in hand and a renewed focus on how best to grow their company. To set yourself up for success, here are 5 things you should do when job searching in January.
Seize the Opportunity
January is one of the best times of year to look for a job, so make sure you don’t miss it. Start looking for opportunities, networking, and polishing your resume as soon as possible. If you come across your dream position, you don’t want to miss out because you weren’t ready.
Wait a Week
You might be ready to go on January 2, but hold off on sending your resume until at least the second week of the month. This gives hiring personnel the chance to wrap up their vacations, finalize their hiring plans, and focus on the actual business of hiring. Sending your resume too early could mean it gets lost in a pile of holiday mail (or email).
Stand Out From the Crowd
Of course, you’re not the only one who knows that January is a great time to job hunt. Especially this year, when unemployment is still stubbornly high due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can expect a lot of competition. Make sure your resume shines, craft a killer cover letter, and enlist your family and friends to help with mock interviews.
Be Patient
While companies tend to hire aggressively in January and February, the process may be slow. At the beginning of the year, there’s no real rush. They may be testing out new systems, finalizing their budgets, or simply taking their time going through resumes. Get your resume into the right hands, and then be patient as you work your way through the process.
Remember the Basics
The fact that it’s January isn’t a magic bullet for your job search. You’ll still need to go back to the basics to land the job of your dreams. If you haven’t been through a job search in a while, consider working with a staffing agency. You’ll get free advice and assistance on everything from tweaking your resume to nailing the tough interview questions.
Ready for a New Role?
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, OneSource Staffing is here for you. To learn how we can assist you with finding your next position in Port Jervis, NY, visit our job board today.