When Should I Start a New Job Search?

Summary: If you are not sure when it is time to begin a new job search, then consider some of the advice provided in this post before you dive into the hunt.

Finding a new job takes a lot of your time, effort and attention. You will need to pick the right time to search for a new job in order for the hunt to be a successful one. There are plenty of factors that go into a successful job hunt and we will discuss them in this post.

Time Available

One of the first things you need to have when planning a job search is time, and plenty of it. This will not be a fly-by-night task that can be completed in a single day. You will need to dedicate at least two hours per day to your job search if you want it to be successful. You must take into account that you are still employed, which means that your job performance should not suffer when you search for a new job. If there is too much going on at work right now, or you are planning to have children, then put your job search off for a later time.

You Need to be Ready

You should start the search for a new job when you are ready. When you come to the conclusion that you want a new job, then this is the best time for you to begin a search. You need to keep in mind that if you wait too long, it could become difficult to find a new job when you need one.

Outside of the Holiday Season

An excellent time to search for a new job is before or after the holiday season. As the calendar moves towards December, many companies have already used up most of their budgets, which means that they will put a hold on hiring new employees until January. Even though you might be tired of your current job, you will find that the search will be more successful after the holidays.

Not During the Summer Months

Another time of year to avoid is the summer season. This is when many employees take their vacations, which means they will not be in the office to review resumes and applications. Many companies offer flex scheduling during the summer, allowing employees to leave an hour or two early during the week. Your resume will not be reviewed during the summer months.

Before You Need a Job

As you consider a search for a new job, think about where you stand right now with your current one. Even if you are happy in your current job, it might not be a bad idea to look for a new job. You do not have to accept any offers until the perfect one comes calling.

The bottom line here is that it is completely up to you as to when a job search should begin, but keep in mind that you will have trouble finding success during the holiday and summer seasons.