No matter your plans for Valentine’s Day, if you’re ready for a career change, you might want to dedicate some time on February 14 to submitting job applications. Why? The holiday that makes most people think of flowers and chocolate could be one of the best days of 2018 to find a new job.
The Q1 Hiring Push
Different data points to different seasons as the best time to find new career opportunities, but January and February are often cited as the best months of the year to get hired. It isn’t difficult to see why. At the start of a new year, companies have developed the budgets and business planning objectives they need to make long-term hiring decisions. Plus, with the holiday season over (usually by the second week of January), hiring managers and recruiters are refreshed, focused, and ready to add new people to their growing teams. Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of Q1 and this prime hiring season, making it an ideal time for you to seek out new opportunities.
The Valentine’s Day Effect
While hiring through the entire month of February and Q1 sees a spike, ZipRecruiter data revealed a specific reason why you should send in applications on Valentine’s Day. The data shows that on February 14, 2017, the number of job applications submitted dropped by 10% from the day before. Meanwhile, the number of jobs posted saw a 10% increase.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for these two shifts in the job marketplace. Job seekers might be busy celebrating Valentine’s Day and decide to take the day off from the job hunt. Employers might want to get their latest job openings posted before heading out to dinner or the movies. Whatever the cause, we see these shifts as a perfect opportunity for savvy job seekers to be more competitive.
February 14 is a great day to have your application noticed by top employers for a couple of reasons. Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of Q1, which is a prime hiring season for most businesses. Plus, with more jobs being posted and less candidate competition, it’s easier to stand out. By submitting just a few applications on Valentine’s Day, you could have a better chance of landing your next great job, and still have time to celebrate the holiday with family, friends, or loved ones.
