The best months of the year to look for a new role, according to job platform SEEK
Advertised jobs are tipped to spike soon. Find out how to make the most of the best times of the year to hunt for a new role, and the peak months for certain industries.
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May is shaping up to be one of the best times for Aussies to look for work, with new research forecasting a jump in job openings next month.
After a decline in advertised roles this month – largely attributed to the Easter break and the school holidays – job platform SEEK says job ads will rebound strongly in May, to be about 10 index points higher than the annual average.
At the same time, the total number of applications for jobs will be slightly below average, creating less competition for roles.
By June, job ads are forecast to dip below average again, with the data revealing August is the only other time of year they will reach similar heights to May.
May will be the peak month for job ads in several industries, including construction, administration, marketing, human resources, IT, banking, science and technology and the legal sector, as well as for management roles, SEEK says.
‘Bumper’ recruitment
May has always been a “bumper” month for recruitment, employment expert Roxanne Calder says. The founder of recruitment agency Est10 urges those who are unemployed or looking to move to a new role to take advantage of the upturn in hiring.
She says even those generally happy in their current employment should assess their career goals and explore whether other opportunities would provide a better path for progression.
“After Easter and after (the April) school holidays, recruitment levels really start to build,” Calder says.
“If (hiring managers) have money (remaining) in budgets before the end of the financial year, then you can get a whole lot of openings appearing.”
“With more opportunities on offer, now is a good time to start investigating and exploring what’s out there.”
Committed to finding work
Jamarlin McKellar, 27, hopes the rise in job ads will help him to secure work in the construction industry.
The First Nations man, from Port Adelaide, has previously worked in cooking and cleaning roles and is currently undertaking training with employment services provider Workskil Australia to help boost his job prospects.
“I would love to get into construction,” McKellar says.
“I have mates in FIFO and I’m building up my skills and earning my certificates. Ultimately, I’m hoping to end up working on an oil rig.
“I’m hands-on and happy to work outdoors. I’m a quick learner and a good listener.
“I’m committed to making the best of my life for myself and my son.”
Workskil Australia chief executive Nicole Dwyer says tens of thousands of registered job seekers are looking for employment.
“Many of our registered job seekers are well suited for entry level positions. They have undertaken courses to improve their skills and experience so they can hit the ground running from day one,” she says.
Recruiter trends
Peak hiring times can vary, recruiter Mathew Thompson says. He advises Australians to apply for jobs throughout the year, as personal circumstances necessitate.
The founder of Talent Butler says many companies prefer to recruit at the end of the year to “lock down roles for the coming year” – contradicting the SEEK data, which shows job ads drop more than 35 index points below average in December.
Small business owners often hire in February after returning from their summer break. Other recruiters deliberately target quiet periods of year rather than the frantic lead-up to June 30, to allow more time for on-boarding, especially for senior roles, Thompson says.
“Being available (and applying for roles) during the period where others are not may be an advantage to many job seekers,” he says.
“Even if there is more competition (for roles at particular times of the year), if you’re the right candidate then you will still get the job.”
For existing workers looking to change roles, Thompson warns giving notice to resign so close to end of financial year could jeopardise hard-earned bonuses, with many companies refusing to reward departing staff.
Not all months are created equal
SEEK senior economist Blair Chapman says while April has been a “difficult month” for recruiting, there are positive times ahead.
He encourages job seekers to update their resumes and reach out to contacts in preparation for next month’s increase in hiring, but says the decision to apply for roles should not be dictated by a calendar.
“While this data reveals the times of the year that you are likely to be up against more competition, and when there are likely to be fewer ads in your industry on offer, it certainly doesn’t mean job seekers should avoid searching for a role within these periods,” Chapman says.
“When you see a job ad that looks right for you, don’t hesitate. Just be conscious that not all months are the same.”
SEEK’s forecast for the best time to look for work is based on analysis of employment data between 2016 to 2024. It excludes data during the Covid pandemic, from 2020 to 2022.
The peak month for job ads, according to industry
January: Sales
February: Real estate and property
May: Advertising, arts and media
Administration and office support
Marketing and communications
Accounting
Information and communication technology
Insurance and superannuation
Human resources and recruitment
Call centre and customer service
Construction
Banking and financial services
CEO and general management
Design and architecture
Legal
Science and technology
Engineering
August: Sport and recreation
Government and defence
Community services and development
Farming, animals and conservation
Consulting and strategy
Mining, resources and energy
Trades and services
Healthcare and medical
October: Retail and consumer products, Hospitality and tourism, Manufacturing, transport and logistics
November: Education and training
Source: SEEK
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