You may even be thinking that your job search will come to a screeching halt because employers, recruiters, and colleagues will be away from their desks or focusing solely on finishing projects before the end of the year.
TAI is here to bust that holiday myth wide open. As career coaches and recruitment experts, we know that companies are still hiring. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) give up your job search just because this time of year is busy for many people.
We want to remind you that employers don’t stop the hiring process just because holiday vacations are planned. We encourage you to continue researching and applying to jobs, and also sit tight and be patient with the process, as response times and scheduling may be spread out over more time. The week after Thanksgiving is going to be a time during which recruiters and hiring managers catch up on emails, calls, and meetings, so you should expect to hear something right after that week.
If you’re losing motivation to continue job searching during the holidays, our tips below will show you how you can turn Black Friday into Green Friday, i.e. make this traditionally slow season productive and profitable for you.
6 Reasons Why The Holidays Are A Great Time To Job Search:
- Holidays bring out social events. Visit Meetup and LinkedIn to find local holiday events, such as fundraisers, open houses, and more, for professionals. These are great opportunities to get out there and network. While you’re there, ask people to connect on LinkedIn, exchange business cards, etc.
- Seasonal and Temporary jobs often turn into full time jobs. If you’re having trouble finding full-time job listings, expand your search to temporary and part-time openings. These jobs can be easier to secure. Once you’re there, give 100% every day. Make it clear to your employer that you bring value to the company so that once the holiday season wanes, he/she won’t want to let you go.
- Fewer job seekers mean less competition. Use the “slow time” of the holidays to your advantage. If you’re not getting immediate responses from employers, recruiters, mentors, etc., don’t sit around and wait. Be productive. This is a great time to make updates to your resume and LinkedIn profile so that your materials present you in the very best light, and are ready to go when you hear back from potential jobs.
- Plenty of volunteer opportunities. Nothing makes you look like a job candidate with strong character more than pursuing volunteer work. There are plenty of easy ways to volunteer during the holidays, and if your current prospects aren’t getting back to you right away, you’ll have the time. Check out your local churches, food shelters, and businesses. Or visit VolunteerMatch to peruse nearby opportunities. You don’t have to dedicate much of your time in order to help people and organizations in need and make yourself look great to future employers. Don’t forget to mention your volunteer work on your resume, LinkedIn profile, and during interviews.
- Holiday greetings can be used to break the ice. Did you work with recruiters or hiring managers in the past whom liked? If so, this is a great time to send those people a handwritten holiday card or email to remind them that you’re available and searching for your next great job. They may tell you about opportunities in their company or introduce you to a colleague who’s looking for candidates.
- Companies are finalizing budgets for 2019. It’s the perfect time to apply for jobs and secure that salary for which companies are already planning.
