Feeling tempted to take a break from your job search during the holidays? Lots of people do—but it’s a bad idea. Here are 5 reasons to keep going strong in your job search during the holidays:
1 – Networking Opportunities Abound
Networking is still one of the most effective ways to job search, and the holidays offer an abundance of networking opportunities. Get out there and attend holiday parties or networking events. Let everyone know what kind of position you’re looking for, even in your social groups. Your friends have different connections than your work contacts do, and you never know what you may find.
The holiday season is a prime time to reconnect with friends and acquaintances you may have lost touch with. Send them a card or an email that includes a few lines about what you’re looking for (after you fill them in on your life and ask how they’re doing). Be sure to offer your assistance if they need it. (See some great networking messages here.)
For lots of great networking tips, get Networking Effectively: Build Your Network for Career Success on Amazon!
2 – Corporate Budgets May Be In Your Favor
Lots of companies are finishing up their fiscal years with money still to spend. If they don’t use it they may lose it—so they use it to hire. That means hiring in December, not January. Don’t wait. Get in front of hiring managers now.
3 – Other Job Seekers Are Taking Time Off
Many job seekers believe that no one hires during the holidays, so they take a break. When they do, that leaves fewer competitors in the race. When you contact hiring managers, you’ll be one of the few instead of one of the many and you’ll stand out.
4 – It’s a Good Time to Talk to Recruiters
Because other job seekers are taking time off, recruiters may have a little more time on their hands. This is a good time for them to get to know new people (like you) in preparation for the new year. A recruiter on your side in a job search is a huge advantage.
Check out How to Work with Recruiters on Amazon.
5 – It May Be Easier to Uncover Hidden Jobs
Many companies are making plans and gearing up for the new year. And if they have plans to hire in January, they’re probably waiting to post the job. That’s a hidden job (because it exists but the public doesn’t know about it yet).
If you show up in front of the hiring manager (through your emailed resume) as a perfect fit in December, you may get hired before anyone else even knows about the opening.
Get the tool that makes your job search easier AND more effective: The Hidden Jobs Finder.
It comes with dozens of sample messages to send to hiring managers and networking contacts.
Best of luck!