How to Find a Job at the Start of the Year, According to a Hiring Expert

Marketing specialist Jenny sent out resumes to four companies over the past two months hoping to tick off the last item on her bucket list before the year ends --- to get a new job come January 2023.

The breadwinner in a family of four, the 28-year-old from Quezon City is seeking better opportunities and a bigger salary to help her manage the rising prices of goods during the Christmas season and support her parents. On the side, she also wants to save enough money for a dream vacation to Japan.

“Parang naging New Year’s resolution ko na rin talaga na makahanap ng new work by early next year. Medyo mahirap nga lang kasi it feels like the deadline is coming and I still haven’t found a job yet,” Jenny said.

Jenny is just one of the many job applicants who have spent a huge chunk of the world’s longest Christmas season jumping from one company to another to find work. Aside from being able to receive their yearend bonuses, employees sometimes also wait until January to get a new job to feel the sense of a fresh start, according to a human resources manager.

“There's always this unconscious belief na kapag nagpalit ng taon, maganda na you have a new environment, a new set of people that you are working with,” human resources consultant Rhonadale Florentino told SPOT.ph.

“Especially if the current one that you are connected with is hindi ganun kasaya, the thought is pagdating ng bagong taon, I have something better to look forward to,” she added.

Why people look for a new job by yearend?

Most employees wait until the end of the year before tendering their resignations to ensure that they will receive their 13th month pay and other yearend bonuses. It also guarantees them they will get their 13th month pay in full, Florentino said.

Others choose to leave before the year ends so that they will not have to worry about personally filing their income tax returns. According to our tax laws, employees who have rendered one full year of service to a single company will be eligible to a “substituted” filing of their ITR, meaning their employers can do it on their behalf.

“Kapag middle of the year ka nag-resign, or hindi mo nabuo yung isang taon, kailangan mo pang i-consolidate yung ITR mo. But if you resign na nakumpleto mo yung isang buong taon, at least wala ka nang poproblemahin when it comes to the ITR,” Florentino said.

Some companies also open up more positions towards the end of the year as they plan for their headcount in the succeeding year. This means there could be more job opportunities for applicants who want to shift to a new company as early as January, Florentino said.

“Oftentimes yung headcount, kailangan ng company na magstart on the first day of the following year. So Quarter 4 pa lang ng current year, ino-open na nila para kung sino man yung iha-hire nila, ready to start na by first working day of the year,” she added.

While there are advantages in looking for a job by the end of the year, there are also risks. For one, since many employees are likely moving from one company to another at this time, it’s possible that most, if not all, of the people in your chosen workplace are also new, Florentino said.

“This means yung transfer of knowledge or pagte-train, minsan hindi siya nagagawa nang maayos because the people you would be working with are also new to the position,” she said.

Resigning employees might also not receive their 13th month pay just before the holidays if they leave the company just before the year ends, as it will now be part of their final pay that could arrive at least a month later, she added.

How to prepare for new year, new job

While there is no perfect time to resign, it’s always best to prepare yourself for the grueling process of job application. If you are one of those employees who plan to start the new year in a new workplace, here are some pieces of advice from Florentino.

Start job hunting three months ahead

If your goal is to have a new job by January next year, you must have started sending out resumes at least three months before.

This way, you’ll have enough time to complete the application process and render the required 30 days of service in your current company before your resignation takes effect, Florentino said.

“Ang pinakamagandang practice is around early October or latter part of September nagse-send out ka na ng resume mo,” she added.

Double your effort

Since you will be competing with other employees who are looking for jobs at this time of the year, you must work harder in your job applications. Attend all invitations for interview, research on your chosen companies, and send as twice as many applications as you can, Florentino said.

“You have to make sure that you apply doon sa mga companies that you would really want to be part of, and you have to treat it as something na pang-long term,” she added.

Work on your deliverables

Just because you are resigning during the holiday season doesn’t mean that you should be lax on your current job. Serve your last 30 days at work and make sure you have turned over your tasks properly, Florentino said.

“Treat it just like any other resignation na magre-render ka talaga ng 30 days,” she added.

Be financially ready

If you tender your resignation towards the end of the year, it’s possible that you might not get your 13th month pay and other bonuses before you leave. Make sure that you have enough money to sustain you throughout the holidays as you transition to your new work, Florentino said.

“Be ready as well, dahil rin Christmas season, baka may mga companies or employers that would waive the 30 days and have your resignation take effect immediately. So dapat prepared ka rin financially,” she added.

Rhonadale Florentino is a human resources consultant and strategist who serves as CEO and President of UpRush Social Geekers, an HR consultancy company. Access their services here.

From: SPOT.ph