Update letters vs submitting updates via the portal?

[MotherofDucks]

When I was finishing my AMCAS application and secondaries I did not have a job for the gap year because the lab I was set up to work in had their funding cut. Now I have recently started a new full time position about a month ago. When I asked m pre-med advising office they gave me this generic answer that update letter aren't sent until January. So my questions:

1. Is there any difference between sending an update letter versus submitting an update through the portal system to those schools that have that option?

2. Should I be sending an update to inform these schools I have started a full time position over my gap year or should I wait?

Thanks for the help guys!

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