Why job searching should be a New Year’s Resolution

Let’s begin by taking a look at the classic New Year to do list:

1. Sign up to gym and get perfect beach body (then end up eating a whole pack of chocolate digestives by the 23^rd January and giving up that dream.)
2. Drink more water (and invest in an expensive Bobble water bottle, use it over two days, wash it up and put it at the back of a cupboard, then return to black coffee with two sugars.)
3. Save money (start by putting £150 in savings account on 1^st January, take it back out mid January to pay for a new coat.)
4. Look for a new, dream job…

…this might be the one resolution that you actually stick to.

Is January really the best time to be ploughing all your efforts into finding a new place to work? To cut things short, yes.

You can sign up for the gym, go on a juice cleanse and set up a new savings account but most importantly you need to keep that Jobstoday tab open because job searching should definitely be one of your more important New Year’s resolutions. Here’s why:

It’s your time to shine

You’re not the only one who wants to start fresh in the New Year. January is the most popular month for job searching, as people use the New Year as a motivator for making some life changes. There will be plenty of competition out there but in the current job market you can expect that at any time of year.

If you are serious about finding a new job then you need to get in there early. Businesses will have delayed posting job positions online until January, so now a brand new influx of roles to apply for can be found.

Of course, we must note that hiring periods vary depending on industry, but most tend to start looking for new people in the New Year, until the summer months when they then jet off on holiday and aren’t able to respond.

But you’ve still got time to sort that CV

Don’t think you have to rush though. A New Year can lend some people a new perspective on things, so instead of rushing into sending off CVs and cover letters that might not be up to scratch, why not make your resolution to update these first and ensure they are as good as can be, before spending time applying?

You could also use January to update your social media profiles and set up a LinkedIn account, if you don’t have one already. You need to be visible online for prospective employers to find you – but not so visible that they can see your drunken holiday photos on Facebook. Here’s a quick guide on how to job proof your Facebook page.

But remember, the pressure of resolutions can ruin everything

If by the end of January you haven’t yet found your ideal job you could be left feeling pretty deflated, plus you might not have been able to get to the gym as much as you wanted to and you haven’t put any money away.

Don’t beat yourself up, job searching is a task you must be fully committed to and ready to take the rejection that comes with it. Trying to do too many life-changing things at once can have a real impact on your self-esteem and the search itself. That’s why it’s important to prepare properly and then choose wisely when applying for roles.

With these points in mind, this January take some time to prep, apply and repeat.