Best and Worst Times of Year to Look for a Job

Are you looking for a new job? Job hunting can seem like a daunting, never-ending process, and while you might not always have control over when you need to find a new job, certain times of year are better than others. Whether you’re looking to transition to a new company or are just starting your career, here are the best and worst times of year to job hunt, according to Nova Staffing’s hiring experts.

Best Times to Look for a Job

There is no universal hiring season since every industry and position is different. However, most hiring experts agree that the beginning of the year is the best time to look for a new position. So, if you’re on the job hunt and have control over timing, try to target January and February. This is the time of year when holidays are over, people are resolved to make changes, and budgets are opened up for new hires.

Worst Times to Look for a Job

This might surprise you, but summer is the worst time to job hunt. Summertime has the least amount of vacancies, and companies are often juggling scheduling, so they don’t have time to focus on the hiring process. Candidates should also avoid looking for jobs just before the holiday season. The end of the year is stressful for most businesses, and with tight budgets and limited time, recruitment just won’t be the focus. 

Best Days to Look for a Job

It’s not just times of the year but also the days of the week that can impact your job search. Studies show that Monday is the best day of the week to apply for a job, though research also shows that Tuesday is when most job postings go up. In terms of times of the day, you’re better off sending in your resume in the early morning or late at night. This increases the chance that your resume is the first one the hiring manager sees that day. 

Worst Days to Look for a Job

The worst day of the week to submit your resume is Saturday. Recruiters likely aren’t working on the weekends, and any jobs submitted on this day will probably get buried under others that come in during the week. You should also avoid applying in the middle of the day for similar reasons. 

Final Thoughts

While some times are better than others for job searching, don’t let timing hold you back. As recruiters say, the best time is always right now. Timing won’t prevent you from getting hired; it may just cause it to take a bit longer, so don’t get discouraged. Keep up the momentum, improve your resume, and prepare for interviews. 

If you’re looking for a new job, feel free to contact one of our hiring experts at Nova Staffing or check out our online job board.