Holidays are actually not a bad time to find a new job
Contrary to popular belief, December is when many employers are making a list (of potential candidates) and checking it twice. These tips could help your job search.
It’s tempting to postpone your job search until after January 1. Job offers slow in December, right?
Newsflash: It’s a total myth that companies aren’t hiring right now. In fact, employers are scurrying to fill jobs with qualified candidates before year-end.
As a former corporate recruiter, I can tell you— the pressure was on in December! If job openings didn’t get filled by the end of the month, the finance department typically questioned why and wrongly assumed that the reason the position was still open was because the department didn’t really need the additional headcount.
Bottom line: Recruiters need to find you as soon as possible. Your confidence should soar simply knowing you’re in demand. Follow these steps and you won’t just be toasting to a brand-new year on New Years’ Eve—you’ll be toasting your brand new job.
Get those applications in ASAP. Due to the perceived holiday slowdown, recruiters have significantly fewer résumés to sift through during the final month of the year. This is frustrating for recruiters, but good news for you.
Fewer résumés equate to less competition for you, as applications trickle in at a slower pace compared to January, when there’s an influx of résumés.
So in the middle of all the holiday madness, set aside some quiet time every single day to focus on your job search. Recruiters are waiting!
Keep your spirits high.
Reality also affects your December job search; just because there’s a surge in demand for qualified candidates doesn’t mean you’re going to breeze through the application process.
I know it’s easy to feel discouraged when you don’t hear back about a job right away, but as I said, recruiters—and companies in general—are especially busy during December. Simply stated, you may be on the receiving end of slower responses. Don’t let a delay deflate you.
Add an extra dose of patience to your search.
Holiday delays likely aren’t due to lack of interest. Keep applying to new opportunities as soon as they become available.
Essentially, the holidays are one of the best times of the year to get a job. Don’t wait until mid January to begin tackling all of your career goals. Get on to employers’ radar screens now. Believe me, they’re the ones who may well be thanking you this year for giving them the ultimate holiday gift: your dedication and talent as their brand-new employee.