As workers across the county prepare to return to their desks after the Christmas break, chances are that many will be wishing that they were seeing the year in with a brand new job.

The January blues can hit twice as hard if people are dreading the return to work following time off but those looking to add a new job to their list of New Year’s resolutions could be in luck.

January is a popular month in the recruitment industry and with 48 per cent of jobseekers turning to the web to assist with their search, job-hunting in the New Year has never been more popular.

Matt Southall, of Newport-based recruitment and training company Acorn, said: “We typically see the demand for jobs rise in the first few weeks of the new year as people look for fresh starts. Finding a new job is a very popular New Year resolution, due to this, we witness a traditional rise in applications from candidates.

“The 5th of January, otherwise known as Massive Monday, is surprisingly popular with jobseekers, as once Christmas Day is over they can then concentrate on finding something else as quickly as possible. Many prepare themselves to do a thorough search and spend the beginning of their year reworking their CVs and covering letters.

“Uninspired workers can find the concept of spending another year in their current role very demoralising, which can lead to many frantically sending out applications in a desperate bid to find something new.

“Not only do workers look for new roles, but employers also tend to put hiring on the backburner until after Christmas. As the demand for jobs peaks with the arrival of a new year, competition can be fierce which is why it’s so important to make yourself stand out.”

Tips to help you stand out from the crowd

Be prepared

Make sure your CV and cover letter is up to date. Ensure you’re highlighting your strengths while being factually accurate.

It is important to include as many key words as possible in your application to ensure that yours is picked up by the company’s talent management software and is given a fighting chance.

Being as prepared as possible for interviews is also equally important. Be sure to explain why you want the new role without being overly confident.

Take your time

As tempting as it can be to snap up the first offer that comes your way, it is important that you weigh up the pros and cons before deciding if it is the right role for you. Don’t let the pressure of wanting to find a new job as quickly as possible in the New Year cloud your judgement.

Consider your suitability

If there is a gap in your skills or experience, you may want to consider addressing this before applying for jobs. The broader that you search, the better the chances of you finding a new role but if you are looking for a more specific role, you might want to consider taking a course or brushing up on your professional skills.

Although you might not have experience in a certain field, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t stand a chance of getting the role. Consider the transferrable skills that you have and be sure to highlight these in your applications, using clear examples.

Don’t give up

Job-hunting can be an exhausting process, and though rejection can be difficult to deal with, it is important that you persevere. Remaining determined rather than disheartened is essential to finding the perfect role and although it might take time, it will be worth it in the long run. Understand that job hunting can be a long but rewarding process, this will keep you focused and will ensure you find the best role for you.