How to Get a New Job This January

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If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to look for a new job, you’re in luck. The start of the year is typically a time when hiring surges. After a lull during the holidays, job

opportunities tend to increase in January and February, according to a report by jobs website Indeed. A survey by staffing firm Robert Half found that the job market looks strong heading

into 2024. More than half of companies (57 percent) are planning on hiring employees in the first half of the year, while more than two-thirds (67 percent) are planning to hire contract

workers.

“For many organizations, critical projects were put on hold during 2023 due to uncertain economic conditions and staff constraints,” says Michelle Reisdorf, district president, Robert Half.

“According to the study, 77 percent of hiring managers cited that they plan to résumé those projects in the early stages of 2024, which will lead to the need for talent.”

There’s a mindset component that comes along with January, too, says Matt Berndt, career strategist for job seeker experience at the website Indeed. “[There] are so many people who make

resolutions around getting healthier, losing weight, getting a new job,” he says.

Before you start shooting out résumés, eager for a new job in the new year, take a little time to prepare and strategize. For example, recruiters celebrate the winter holidays, too, so you

may want to wait until mid-January to ramp up your efforts.

Here are some other tips from career experts.

As an older worker, it’s likely you have specific criteria for your next role. Berndt says job seekers should be able to answer four questions before they apply for a position. These are

questions hiring managers will expect you to be able to answer in an interview. They’re also questions that will help you know that the role is more likely to be right for you. The four

questions are:

“If you can legitimately answer those four questions, apply to the job because now you’re well on your way to making your case [for being hired],” Berndt says. And you’re also increasing the

odds that the job will be a good fit for you.