Whenever you see it! Shortest article, ever.
If only it were that easy.
What applying for a job REALLY looks like
I learned the hard way that applying for a job is so much more than just hitting send on that email and ensuring that you attached the most recent version of your resume` and the right cover letter. It’s all about the timing.
Luckily, we don’t have to guess anymore because research has been done to ascertain the best times to apply for jobs; but just before we get into that there’s something else we have to take care of first. Before hitting send on that application letter you put almost zero effort in (be honest, we’ve all done it), check-in on your reasons for applying to this job. Is it the money? Will it look good on your resume` when you’re ready to move on? Do you want the experience? The benefits? What were the words that stood out to you? What made you want to apply for this job?
In desperation, when those bills are piling up and we are beginning to feel like more of a burden on the society than a contribution to it, we may apply for jobs we don’t even care about and in other circumstances would never have given a second thought.
Pause for a cause: Several years ago, one of my family members was experimenting with vegetarianism. We were aware of this, but our ritual at the end of every week was to go to a restaurant that pretty much only served meat. Usually we would sit, eat and then leave, wrap up everything in a few minutes - so this family member had mapped out a plan to eat sides until we got home. We ended up seeing a few friends and the night got longer ... and longer ... and longer; until, they just couldn’t hold out anymore and they had a serving of meat.
In the same way, if there were more options and if we weren’t so hungry we may not have applied for that call centre job or that receptionist position - especially when you hate talking to people on the phone!
Before you send out applications
I have made some poor choices and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes, so before you send out applications:
- You need to envision where you see yourself in 2 years.
- Evaluate where you are in life and which experiences you think will take you to the next level.
- Match this with your skills, interests, abilities and proficiencies.
- List 4 or 5 agencies you’ve always dreamed of working with.
- Write down some of the “dream” positions – titles you’ve seen and industries you want to work in.
- Do some research on what people in those positions do (especially in the 4/5 dream workplaces you listed).
- Does this feel like something you can see yourself doing for 2 years?
This sounds like a lot, but it is literally a 5-minute process.
The tier system
After this you start your application process with a tier-system. Tier 1: are your dream jobs; Tier 2: the jobs you qualify for and positions you would be motivated to work in; and Tier 3: the jobs that will prepare you for tiers 2 and 1. We could use another name here, like “the back-ups” or the “last chances” but that would connote something negative in your psyche and you would not approach the job with much enthusiasm and it would just be a sad time for everyone. Always speak in the positive.
Now it’s time for the big stuff: when is the best time to apply for a job? Which month of the year will I have a better chance of being hired? Is there a slow period that I should be avoiding?
RELATED POST
Companies post vacancies all the time, so always check those job boards to see when the position you really want will be posted; but according to this article from Top Resume, there are specific times that the odds may be in your favour to apply for jobs.
From the get go they tell you to forget about the holiday season (December) and that slow period at the beginning of the year is also a no-no. Just think about how much you look forward to a break during the December holiday season and how you slowly start the new year. Recruiters don’t usually want to begin their year looking over resumes. So, wait until the year settles in a bit and see those job boards light up.
The first wave: mid-January to February
According to the aforementioned article, this is usually the time companies are updating their budgets and putting the final touches on strategic plans. By this time, managers have an idea of what’s missing from their team – you! These months are said to be the best for finding full-time, long-term employment. The only issue here is that you may wait a little while before hearing back. Business hasn’t really picked up yet so they have a lot more time and resources to “drag out” the hiring process.
The second wave: A SPRING FLING (March, April, May)
This period is also pretty good for job hunting. You won’t need to wait forever by your phone or laptop for feedback either because hiring managers are looking forward to their summer vacation; so they generally escalate the process. You’ll have that call back in no time.
Summer Time: June, July and August
It’s vacation time and almost every department will be a ghost town, so perhaps not the best time to hire new staff. You can use this time to really think about where you want to work and what you see yourself doing.
A few jobs may pop up around this time. Be mindful that they may not offer the same kind of longevity that is promised in the first and second waves. Many times the jobs that pop up in this time are for positions to help the company meet deadlines for the rest of the year; and they are likely to re-evaluate at the end of the year and realize they do not need your skillset anymore.
The third wave: September and October
The jobs have awoken from hibernation. This is quite possibly the best time to have an interview – since most managers would have gone on summer holidays and we assume they would return relaxed and ready to build a great team. After summer holidays there tends to be reshuffling – so there will be positioned that need to be filled.
RELATED POST
Episode 41: Revamp that resume with Hilani Ellis
Winter is coming: November and December
Hope you got that very subtle Game of Thrones reference; but just to be clear this is definitely not the best time to look for full-time employment. Companies may need extra help with the holiday rush, so they may advertise a part-time position or temporary work (don’t knock part-time work, you can learn a lot in a short time). However, this is generally not a hiring hot-spot. Hiring managers are usually looking to put off recruitment until the new year.
Align your readiness for the job market, with any of these three waves (plus a killer resume` and some great interview skills) and you will strike gold !