Washington DC College Schedules Effect the Job Market

Job Hunting in Washington DC is Easier When You Know What to Expect

Washington DC is a very special job market. Not only does it have a diverse and healthy private sector, it also has a huge public sector. Because of this there are very definite job market trends throughout the year. Here is a rundown of key times of the year and how it affects the Washington DC job market. It is important to note, that even when the job market is slow in the Washington DC metro area, it is invaluable to still be in touch with companies. By networking when there aren't very many jobs available, you can get your get your foot in the door for when companies start hiring.

January – This is a transitory time in Washington DC. The new year is beginning, which means that the companies that start their fiscal year with the calendar year will be setting their yearly budgets. This means that there will be some companies looking to add new positions during this month. The downside to January is that college students that graduated in December are starting their job search in January. Also if there was a national election the previous November, there will be a great deal of shuffling of positions.

February – This is a good month for job hunting in Washington DC. The transition period of January has wrapped up and interviews are becoming more regular. Don't wait too long though, because by the end of February the jobs generated by the new year start to taper off.

May – This is the beginning of one of the hardest times to get a job in Washington DC. There will be jobs available, but the deluge of college graduates will make the job market very competitive. Additionally, there will be college students on break, willing to work entry-level positions for little to no pay, just to get the experience.

September – This month is a very good month for finding jobs. The reason for this is because college has started back up, which dies up the pool of free summer interns. Some students manage to hold onto some of their duties after returning from school, but often work on a part time basis.

October – Many governmental departments begin their fiscal year in October. This means that these branches will start hiring people during this month.

December – December is a very slow time for the Washington DC job market. The holidays combined with the approaching end of the fiscal year lead many companies to wait until the end of the month before looking to hire. As mentioned above though, this is a great time to network with companies to build relationships and get your foot in the door for when job opportunities pop up.

It is important to keep in mind that these seasonal changes are general trends and not absolute. There are other factors which can cause big job booms or shortages. Also, even at times when the job market is slow, there are still jobs available in the area. However, many people do plan their job searches around times when there will be more openings, and spend the slow times furthering their adult education. Regardless of your approach, it is a good idea to have a plan and a direction with your job search.