Ask Vanessa: Are there good job opportunities in January?

Mark, Douglas, Irina, Maria, Angela, Joana...

I've been receiving the "January" question from various professionals across the board in recent days, which prompted me to consider its significance and break it down.

The reason is that variations of this question also surface in November and December...

Is the end of the year a favourable period to search for a job?

And, midway through the year...

Is the end of the financial year a good time to seek a new professional opportunity?

I find it useful to delve into the structure of this question. After all, the quality of the questions we pose significantly influences the quality of the answers we receive.

While I acknowledge the importance of understanding the main factors affecting the economy and the job market in specific months, there are more refined, strategic questions we can ask when aiming to secure a better job and advance in our careers.

For instance, rather than questioning if January is a good month, it would be more useful to shift to, "What can I do to become a more competitive professional -- in, let's say, January?" Or, "What actions can I take to increase my chances of landing a better job this month?" Regardless of the month.

By enhancing the quality of the question, better answers can emerge.

For instance, based on the two questions above, consider some great answers that can come to life:

• Improve your knowledge about your industry or a specific industry you want to shift to.
• Identify the key skills required for the position you aspire to apply for in the near future.
• Develop new skills that could potentially double your earnings.
• Decide to build a presence on LinkedIn and add value to your audience.
• Dedicate time to improve your resume and cover letter.

Do you notice the contrast? If we had simply asked whether there are good job opportunities in January, the answer might have been a straightforward yes or no.

Exploring new quality questions can offer fresh perspectives and insights than solely considering market seasonality.

Wishing you a wonderful January and an incredible year ahead, filled with opportunities driven by your actions and determination.

Until next time,

Vanessa