John Leonard Blog

Misperceptions of Job Searching During the Holidays

Tweet

 

So no one is hiring during the holidays, right?

WRONG!

1) It’s the end of the year so obviously no one is hiring.

Not true!  As Staffing Consultant- Temporary Division Kimberly Brown can attest, many organizations need temporary coverage to manage an uptick in business or to cover their employees' vacation time over the holidays. This presents a great opportunity for you to get a foot in the door and show off your skill sets. Also, some hiring managers will need to begin the hiring process now. Thirdly, employers who plan to hire in Q1 of next year will be competing with other employers for the same talent. Therefore, many will be more likely to take the time to review and interview candidates who apply before the January rush.  

2) Organizations’ hiring budgets have been allocated already.

Maybe, but also think about the fact that employers have hiring budget approvals that expire at the end of this year. This creates a sense of immediacy to interview and select the right candidate(s) in Q4 so they do not “lose” their budget allocation.

3) Everyone is so busy during the holidays; no one is around.

Maybe they are “busy” celebrating the holiday so use the nature of the holidays to your benefit.  The spirit of the holidays can have a positive influence on people as they tend to be more festive, relaxed, and generous during this time. This is your chance to take advantage of every invitation and participate in the holiday celebrations, so network with family and friends! Staffing Consultant-Direct Hire Division Claire McKeown suggests, “Share your story by connecting with others this holiday and offer to help them in return. “   

4) I’ll start my job search at the beginning of the year as part of my New Year’s Resolution.

The worst time to start a job search is in January. Many job seekers put their search on hold during the holidays and wait until the New Year. The competition is more fierce in January and so it can be more difficult to stand out from the crowd during this time. People who demonstrate their organizational skills and their ability to be proactive by applying during the holiday season are likely to receive more attention from employers in a smaller pool of applicants. 

As a gift to yourself this holiday season, update your resume with this year’s accomplishments and kick-start your job search now!  The holiday season is a great time to develop relationships that are crucial for hiring in 2012, so when the opportunities surface, employers think of you first.  Staffing Consultant-Direct Hire Division Barbara Demore contends that, “This may be the best time of year to maintain and even accelerate your efforts and raise yourself above the crowd.” There are many opportunities for employment that come with the 1^st of the year if not beforehand, and this year’s early resolution should be dedicated to finding the fit that is right for you…ahead of the competition.

Tell us, what will you do this holiday to boost your job marketability?