New Year, New Career: Top 5 Tips for Job Hunting in January

The new year has arrived! For most, this means setting resolutions, defining goals, and setting a plan of action to get started. For job-seekers, a new position is likely the number one priority, and it can be a journey fraught with anxiety. Where do I start? Why haven’t I heard back? Is anyone even hiring?

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath.

Better? Good. Now let’s get down to brass tacks: if you started your job search toward the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to keep the momentum going. If you’re just getting started, don’t worry, you have time. “The first few weeks of the year can be slow,” says Mayra Rios, Goodwill’s Manager of Mission Advancement. “People are catching up from time off over the holidays.”

Whether you’re already on a roll or need to get the ball rolling, Rios offers the following top (5) tips to help turn the new year into a new career and nail your new year job search:

Set Healthy Expectations

Starting the year job hunting can bring a certain level of pressure, especially if you’re facing a financial deadline. “Try not to connect that pressure to your sense of self-worth,” cautions Rios. Successful job hunting is all about timing and strategy; protect your motivation and mental health by focusing on growth and practical application, rather than being ‘job-ready.’ “Your biggest advantage comes from how you approach the fresh start to the new year, including your mindset,” says Rios. Need some inspiration? Check out our Professional Mindset course on MyCareerAdvisor.com

Update Your Resume

You have new priorities in the new year – so do employers. “Managers are thinking about where their businesses are going this year,” states Rios. She suggests updating your resume to reflect how your skills and experience can help them get there. “Reframe your bullet points around growth and solutions,” she adds, “aligning yourself with where those businesses are headed now.” The truth is, a hiring manager is more likely to be impressed by your prior accomplishments if they’re relevant to their company’s current and future needs.

Rios also suggests taking a second look at your resume and asking yourself if it truly reflects your journey. “Does this sound like your story?” she asks. Make it relevant, but also make sure it’s authentic to you. If your resume could use a refresh, try updating it with our resume builder.

Don’t Assume Silence Means Rejection

January is a strong month for hiring across industries, so it can be disheartening to apply for a promising position only to be met with…crickets. Rios advises not to get discouraged. “Things are a bit sluggish,” she says, “people are catching up on emails and submissions from the post-holiday backlog.” Have patience and maintain a steady cadence to follow up with promising leads. Try setting calendar reminders at weekly intervals to follow up with recruiters and hiring managers if they haven’t gotten back to you yet.

Stay Active on LinkedIn and Focus on Networking

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: employee referrals give you a major edge. Whether they’re a former coworker, recruiter, or current employee at a company you’re interested in, having an existing contact can set you apart from other candidates. Continue reaching out to people and building your professional network. If the fear of inconveniencing others gives you pause, Rios assures you you’re not. “People want to be seen as helpful,” she says. Who knows? You may even get the opportunity to return the favor, or pay it forward to someone else who could use your support in the future.

Use Feedback to Improve

We all know that sinking feeling that comes with a rejection letter. However, it’s also an opportunity to do better next time. Remember what we said about reframing your mindset? “If you keep getting close but not quite there, look for patterns in feedback or rejections,” suggests Rios, “then use that feedback to fine-tune your applications and enhance your skills.” Consider taking an online training course to earn a certification, or participating in a Personal Branding or Interview Skills workshop to really polish your professional presence. Identify and address your gaps as an applicant, so that you’re the obvious choice the next time around.