The perfect time to look for a new job

The right time to look for a new job isn’t determined by headlines or market trends. It depends on your mindset, clarity and readiness to pursue a role that aligns with your goals, values and long-term growth.

It’s impossible to read the news without seeing a headline about the economy or job market. Unfortunately, the media often focuses on hiring freezes and layoffs. You rarely see headlines that highlight hiring or the number of high performing companies still growing.

So you might be wondering if this is a good time to make a move.

Before you answer, let’s look at a reference point. There are 12 million professionals in the tech industry. The highest number of layoffs reported was 171,660 (layoff.fyi as of April 2023). In absolute terms, that’s significant and very real for those affected. But when you zoom out, layoffs represent about 1.15% of the overall tech workforce.

While it may feel counterintuitive, reporting suggests the future of hiring in tech is more positive than it seems.

For example:

• Today’s Tech Job Market: Perhaps More Boom Than Gloom (Forbes)
• Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft lay off thousands — but tech jobs are still hot in 2023 (CNBC)

As of October 2022, the unemployment rate in tech stood at 2.2% compared to the national average of 3.7%. According to CompTIA and PR Newswire, tech job postings increased by 3% to 317,000 openings.

So is it a good time to make a move?

The answer is: it depends on you.

Regardless of the media or statistics, what matters most is how you feel about your current situation, your job and your career.

When it’s better to wait

If you’re feeling overly anxious about the economy or job market, it may be better to wait. When you’re not feeling grounded or confident, it’s harder to find a more fulfilling job.

I often relate it to dating. If you believe there’s a shortage of potential opportunities, you may approach conversations with too much intensity and expectation. That makes it harder to attract the right fit.

That said, you shouldn’t wait indefinitely and postpone your path to a more fulfilling job. While you wait, you can take small steps that help you prepare and build confidence.

If you feel some apprehension but still want to make a bigger impact, grow, increase your compensation or improve work-life balance, here are ways to set yourself up for a successful job search.

Focus on the good

Stop doom scrolling and consuming constant negative news about layoffs. Instead, focus on content that teaches and inspires you.

A recruiter quoted in Business Insider shared that he has hired people even during the toughest economic periods. His advice: stay focused on your search and don’t get discouraged by headlines. You can still be the right solution for a hiring manager at any time.

When you see someone announce a new job, congratulate them and ask to connect. Learn how they approached their search and what worked for them.

Create a vision board for your future or write out what your ideal job looks and feels like. Keep it title and company agnostic. This helps you stay focused and motivated.

Deepen your belief in yourself

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

If you believe you can land a great job and feel confident in your experience, you’re far more likely to succeed.

Visualization plays a role here. When your beliefs are strong, your actions follow. And when your actions align, your results reinforce that belief.

Take actionable steps toward your goal

Start with clarity. Define your career vision and what an ideal job and company look like for you. Many people jump straight into updating their resume and applying online, but reflection gives you direction.

Research target companies. Read reviews, explore job postings, follow company news, review financials and watch leadership presentations. Understand their products, customers and values.

Talk to people inside the company. Ask about priorities, leadership and culture. Learn whether the company is growing and whether its products are essential or optional.

This kind of insight helps you determine if a company is the right fit. If it’s not, that’s still valuable. Clarity helps you focus your search on better opportunities.

There are thousands of companies in growth mode that are hiring. The key is finding the one that’s right for you and being prepared when the opportunity comes.