Timing is Everything

For many of you looking for jobs right now, you would do well to understand the “timing” aspect of 2009. Traditionally (in a “normal” economic climate), January through May is the busiest hiring season. The season will slump from May through August and then re-activate the final week of August through the second week of December. This latter period is the second most active hiring season. Thus, when looking at the year as a collective whole, you have two major hiring periods — now (through May) and August 25 through Dec. 20th.

What does this mean for you right now? It means that over the next two weeks in January, firms will be closing out old jobs from 2008 and activating new jobs. By the end of January, 2008, therefore, we should have a clear picture of hiring for the winter season.

Our fingers are crossed that such picture will be a good one. In light of this fact, now is the time to call your recruiter and ascertain whether something new might be on the horizon for you in 2009. He/she will have a good idea whether such will be the case shortly. If so, fabulous, you can get to work submitting to new opportunities. If not (and the picture of 2009 seems the same as end-of-year 2008), then at least you will know that now may be the time to pursue other career options or think outside the box a bit more (relative to geographic regions, for example) in order to generate something for yourself in 2009. It’s knowledge worth having and a good way to begin the New Year with a pro-active stance and realistic expectations for yourself and your career.

Related posts:

  1. Happy Holidays and Here’s to a Better 2009
  2. Do Law Firms Generally Have Hiring Freezes During the Holiday Season, or is This as Good a Time as Any to Aggressively Pursue a New Job?
  3. The Boutique Alternative
  4. Today is a day to celebrate! No, really. Stop and CELEBRATE.
  5. Holiday Cards in August?
  6. Partner Growth Down By 50% At AmLaw 100

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