When Is the Best Time to Apply for a Job? Here's When Companies Are Serious About Hiring

By Moon Harper

Dec 29, 2023 05:13 AM EST

December Hiring — (Photo : Unsplash/ Eric Prouzet)

Finding a job has been challenging in 2023, and early 2024 might be similar. However, companies are still hiring, and individuals are securing good opportunities. If you find any job postings at this time of the year, apply!

November and December are the Best Months to Apply

With the holidays approaching, dealing with job applications seems less appealing. Who wants to go through this process during the most beautiful time of the year? However, HR professional Bonnie Dilber suggests rethinking that perspective. According to the tech recruiter, November and December are the two best months to apply for jobs, contrary to conventional wisdom. Despite the common tendency to put things off until "next year" during the holiday season, Dilber encourages job seekers to consider this time.

If a company advertises a job during this time, they are committed to moving fast and prioritizing an efficient hiring process, knowing that year-end hiring is challenging for the following reasons:

Scheduling interviews is challenging due to holiday plans and planned time off for both applicants and hiring teams;
Most employed individuals aren't keen on seeking new jobs at the end of the year as it may impact their bonuses, which are often paid out early in the new year;
Many companies have "use it or lose it" policies, meaning they lose that budget if they don't fill positions before the fiscal year ends. Consequently, they aim to close out open roles to avoid budget loss.

January Job Postings are also Worth Applying For

If companies post jobs in January, it's often for positions that urgently need to be filled. These might be roles they couldn't assign until the new budget was approved or couldn't manage hiring during the busy winter holidays. Now, they are experiencing the challenge of being short-staffed.

During this season, hiring managers have been observed scheduling numerous interviews simultaneously, requesting to bypass recruiter screens for a faster process, and personally reviewing resumes to expedite the proceedings. Teams that typically take three to four weeks for a hiring process have been seen extending offers in less than two weeks due to the urgency of filling vacant positions.

How Can You Take Advantage of the Year-end Hiring Crunch?

Job seekers can capitalize on unique advantages during December's hiring surge by adopting a strategic approach and staying proactive. Here's how you can position yourself for success in the year-end job market:

Active Job Search- Filter job roles posted in the last few days as they will likely have smaller candidate pools and calls for immediate hiring.

2. Flexible Interview Approach- Be open to short-notice interviews and prepare for a potentially expedited process. If a company is urgent about filling a role, they may prioritize candidates who can start in a few weeks over those looking for a longer timeline.

3. Optimized Online Presence- Update your resume and LinkedIn, highlight seasonal flexibility and availability, and showcase your ability to contribute to the company.

4. Swift Application Turnaround- Monitor job postings, submit tailored applications promptly, and set up alerts for immediate notifications.

5. Be Accessible- You can add a scheduling link to your resume or note on interview availability. Using a dedicated email for your job search can also ensure you don't miss any opportunities to schedule interviews.