Looking for a New Job? Here Are The Best (and Worst) Times to Look

The amount of people actively looking for a job or thinking about looking for a job is outrageously high, and if you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’re one of them. It’s nice to know you’re in good company—thousands of highly qualified, motivated professionals are itching to add a fresh, shiny title to their LinkedIn profile. And for the first time in years, it appears that the job market is working in their favor.

Whether you’re actively seeking or are just starting to get the urge to leave your current role, I imagine that you’re spending most of your days on job search platforms, talking to people in your network about opportunities, and dreaming up what your day in the life will look like when you finally land a new role. But I bet there is one thing you haven’t thought a single second about: the best time to look for a job. I hate to break it to you, but there are quite a few months that aren’t necessarily ideal.

I fully understand that you can’t always control when you have to look for a new job (layoffs suck so bad), but it’s a relief to know that sometimes the reason you aren’t finding jobs that align with your skills or aren’t hearing back from hiring managers isn’t because you’re not doing enough—it might just be because some hiring seasons are slower than others. Knowing when the best time to look for a job is can help you 1) stay motivated and 2) be prepared when it’s go time. So, we are sharing all you need to know about seasonality in hiring, with respect to the ebbs and flows of different industries.

January to March

The best time is now, job seekers. Companies spend January gearing up for the year ahead, and with their new budgets and hiring plans in tow, they start actively recruiting for open positions. The first few weeks are notoriously slow (thanks to everyone’s holiday hangover), but come late January and February, there is a high hiring volume. The downfall with this time of year is that many people have “new year, new job” resolutions, so it can be highly competitive. It may take hiring managers a little longer to sort through candidates (hence why they may still be hiring and interviewing through March), but don’t let that discourage you. Fear not, they still plan on finding the right person for the job, and it’s the perfect time to throw your name in the hat.

April to June

After Q1, companies have settled into their yearly goals and have usually secured their priority hires. If they haven’t, they are in a hurry and it won’t be long before they are filled. This means that if you see a role you want (especially in April) apply to it fast. Hiring managers are eager to find a candidate. Come May and June, things are slow for the most part. Thankfully, this means that if a role is posted, there is less competition than at the top of the year.

As summer approaches, no one is thinking about work—they are thinking about Italy. So unless you’re just graduating and looking for entry-level positions, are in hospitality and gearing up for tourist season, or are in education and are looking for a job for the upcoming academic year, expect a slower season.

July to August

It’s summer, and the decision-makers are out of office. Italy, remember? This is the slowest season of them all, so even if there is a job posting, don’t anticipate a quick response time. With that said, still keep a close eye on new postings (or better yet, set up alerts) since competition will be slow too. This is a great time to learn a new skill, refresh your resume, practice interview techniques, or talk to people in your network about what opportunities might be coming up in the fall.

September to October

It’s back to business in the fall, which makes way for the September Surge (an increase in job postings and hiring) and the second-best time to apply for jobs. Akin to January, companies ramp up hiring as they prepare to meet end-of-year goals or use their remaining budgets. You’ll find that a large range of roles become available, but don’t forget that with that comes increased competition. Thankfully, hiring managers are refreshed and focused after their summertime R&R, which helps for a smooth recruitment process.

November to December

The holidays are here, and you know what that means: Everyone is out of the office again, physically and mentally. Not to mention, budgets are tight. With little to no roles open, it’s a slow season for hiring, but it’s not impossible to land a job at year-end. You’re met with less competition again, so your resume has a chance to stand out. Plus, seasonal or temporary jobs, jobs in education, and jobs in hospitality usually spike to accommodate the holidays and the upcoming school year. If you’re looking for work in a different industry, use this time to rest and refocus because the job market is about to ramp up again after the new year.