As a newbie in the design and tech industries (and hey, let’s face it, even for some of the more experienced folks out there), hunting for UX and Product Design roles can feel like its own full-time job. Any designer who’s on the prowl will tell you that you have to be strategic in your search. This can look like targeting certain companies, networking with the right people, and tailoring your portfolio and resume to specific industries. But a lesser talked-about strategy is that of timing. Most companies go through seasons, much like the weather. In order to maximize efficiency in your design job search (and in order to maintain a bit more sanity), you can leverage these seasons to strategically prioritize your job hunt to-dos and manage your work.
Q1: Fresh Snow, Fresh Start (January–March)
People have begun trickling back into the office (either physically or virtually) after the holidays and recruiters and hiring managers are looking toward the new year. Many companies will update their budgets and forecasts for the year and set their hiring goals for positions to be backfilled or expanded. Once the eggnog-induced fog of early January wears off, hiring really starts to ramp up, and by February you can expect a lot of activity. This is probably the best time to apply aggressively and try to snatch up a position early in the year.
What you should focus on:
- Create a shortlist of companies to target
- Apply aggressively
- Schedule informational interviews
- Submit your resume to recruiting agencies
Q2: April Showers (April–June)
Even if Q1 wasn’t fruitful for you, spring is another great time to get hired. By this time of the year, most companies have a plan for the year and are starting to strategize about developing new products and services. This is also a great time to apply as the competition has thinned out following the first hiring surge in Q1 and hiring managers might make decisions more quickly.
What you should focus on:
- Continue sending out applications
- Network, network, network!
- Reach out to companies on your shortlist and ask about any upcoming open positions
Q3: Too Hot to Work (July–September)
The heat of summer has set in (well, in the Northern hemisphere, at least) and recruiters and hiring managers alike are feeling the burn. Recruiting tends to slow down during this time as people take vacation time or shift to flexible schedules. However, toward the end of this season, there might be a push to fill any remaining vacancies before the holidays, resulting in what some are calling the September Surge. Make sure that you are ready to jump back in and apply like crazy during that time, as there is a boost in hiring activity across the market.
What you should focus on:
- Refresh your education and design skills with a course
- Find a new design community and get involved
- Look for contract/seasonal positions
Q4: Holly Jolly Holidays (October–December)
As the holidays ramp up, recruiting season winds down, and by this part of the year most positions have been filled and most budgets have been stretched thin. As the season deepens and people take time off for the winter holidays in November and December, hiring slows to an almost glacial pace. It’s never a bad idea to keep sending out applications and reaching out to recruiters, but it’s reasonable to expect that you won’t hear back for a while, if at all.
What you should focus on:
- Update your portfolio and have it reviewed
- Reinvest in your social media presence
- Share your work for feedback
- Practice your interviewing skills
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All of this being said, there is no magic formula for landing a job. You can successfully apply, interview, and accept an offer any time of the year, no matter the season. These seasons are highly subjective depending on the industry, and you could find yourself with a snowstorm in July (metaphorically speaking).
And of course, I don’t want to undersell the importance of serendipity — simply being in the right place at the right time. To land a job in this exceptionally tough market, a little bit of luck can make or break your fortunes. However, leveraging different hiring seasons will help you put yourself in the path of serendipity — and potentially land your next role sooner.
