So, the New Year is coming up. In six weeks, the world will be in 2025. Sounds scary, right? In these next few weeks, you may hear about how you should wait to apply for a job. The reasons may vary: the economy is in flux, the market has slowed in preparation for the new year, and so forth. Technically, that may be true. But note that the market has slowed, not stopped. Note that the economy is always in flux, in a boom-and-bust cycle. But that does not mean you should wait until New Year’s Day to apply. Apply now.
Cons for Waiting Till NYD
There is some merit to holding off on applying for a job until the new year arrives. In part, many people take off days or even weeks of work between Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holidays. So it is likely you will see a delay in responses. With people out of the office, there might not be as many interviews to be had or phone calls made. Likewise, the official hiring date will likely be pushed back until 2025. “So, if I can’t start working now, why apply?” you might ask. Because then you will be like everyone else – behind on your job search journey. It is no secret that companies face an influx of applications in January. But by getting the ball rolling in November or December, you can be ahead of the game. The job search is about taking advantage of opportunities as they arrive. If you wait for the perfect time or job, you will be waiting a long time.
But the Economy!
Yes, it is true that the economy is in flux. A new administration is coming in as an old one is winding down. There will undoubtedly be some fluctuations in how the market responds. That does not mean it will crash, but it might indicate you should take a step back and make more calculated decisions regarding your job search. It is always best to insulate yourself from potential upheaval. Maybe that means looking at evergreen industries, like medicine or law enforcement. Perhaps going back to school is the best option right now. Whatever the case may be, make the decision that feels right for you. Consider the best options available and go from there.
Pros for Waiting Till NYD
The biggest pro aspect of waiting to apply is that you can see how things have gone over the last few months. However, the con is that it does not tell you much. Just because there was no crash last month does not mean there won’t be next month. But you have more time on your hands to prepare for a search.
Likewise, maybe the holidays are time you spend with family and friends. That is perfectly legitimate. The point of this article is to say don’t wait for the perfect time. New Year’s Day is an arbitrary date. It does not matter if you are going back to school, looking for a new job, or simply hoping to spend time with loved ones. Don’t wait till New Year’s Day: do it now.
