Yahoo Finance ‘Get ahead’: Here’s why you should job hunt in December
It’s the end of the business year, and everyone is winding down – but those looking for a new job or looking to switch careers could get ahead of the competition by ramping up their job search now, experts say.
According to Indeed Asia Pacific economist Callam Pickering, employers are busier than usual adding new staff to their teams.
“Hiring in early December is tracking above normal levels, perhaps reflecting some catch-up after months of economic restrictions,” Pickering told Yahoo Finance.
“Jobseekers should be aware that there are opportunities out there that wouldn't normally be the case during the Christmas period.
“And while everyone else is distracted with Christmas and the holidays, there is an opportunity to perhaps get ahead of the curve,” he said.
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The “countertrend” is truer now more than ever: in December last year, recruitment platform Robert Half Australia director Nicole Gorton urged Aussie job seekers to begin their hunt before the new year.
“Contrary to popular opinion, December is actually a great time for job seekers to look for a new employer,” Gorton said at the time.
“While everyone else waits to start their job search in January, start your job hunt in earnest now. Fewer applicants mean more chance of your CV being noticed and a quicker hiring process,” she added.
But if you’re looking to switch off and stay switched off until the new year, not all is lost.
“January is usually the busiest time when we see increased jobs activity on the LinkedIn platform, as hiring managers prepare their teams for a new year and new workloads,” LinkedIn career expert Shiva Kumar told Yahoo Finance.
“Job seekers should use the holiday break to polish their profile and update it so they can be best prepared to respond to opportunities in the new year.”
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