Want a new job in 2023? Better start looking now

This is a task you really don’t want to put off.

Key points

• A new job can do wonders for your career and finances.
• If you want to start the new year with a new job, you need to start sending resumes immediately.
• Job postings tend to slow down around the holidays and hiring can be slow as a result.

There are many reasons to want a new job to start the new year. First, if you’re not at all happy with your current job, that’s reason enough to look elsewhere. Despite rampant recession warnings, the US job market is actually quite strong right now, and there are plenty of opportunities to be had.

The new job can also pave the way for more career growth. If you’re stuck in a dead-end role, the sooner you get out of it, the more progress you can make.

And let’s not gloss over the financial benefit of finding a new job. A higher salary can give you the opportunity to increase your savings, pay off credit card debt, or achieve another financial goal you have in mind.

But if you’re serious about starting 2023 with a new job, then you really need to start looking for one immediately. Wait even a few weeks and you may find yourself stuck at your current job until early 2023.

Why you shouldn’t delay your job search

At this point, you might think you have a solid 10 or so weeks until the start of 2023, and plenty of time to peruse the job postings and set up a few interviews. But one thing to remember is that companies tend to be short staffed during the holiday season, which basically starts around Thanksgiving and runs through December 31st.

Since people tend to take time off around the holidays, you may find that job postings slow down. Or even if rosters aren’t delayed, interviews might be, simply because the people who need to conduct them and make decisions are out of the office. That’s why it pays to get ahead of the holiday season by starting your job search in October.

Another reason to look for a new job now rather than wait? Sometimes hiring budgets run out towards the end of the year and don’t renew until the following year. That’s fine if you’re looking to start a new job in, say, February or March 2023. But if your goal is to find a new job before the new year so you can start 2023 in a new position, then you don’t want to wait to start searching.

How to search for a job effectively

Looking for a new job can be full time job. And if you’re currently working, you’ll want to do what you can to effectively look for a new job to make the most of your limited time.

To that end, first figure out exactly what you want. Do you have a specific job title in mind? This alone can narrow your search.

Then do some networking. Email your friends, former colleagues, neighbors, extended family members, and anyone else who might be in a good position to send you work.

Finally, make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are up to date. You don’t want to get to an interview only to find out that you failed to update your most recent work experience.

A new job can do a lot for your career and financial situation. But if you’re serious about starting 2023 with a new job, then the time to start looking is now.