Job seekers often believe that no hiring takes place over the holidays. As a result, they stop pursuing job leads with the intentions of restarting their job search after the New Year. But stopping your job search over the holidays means stopping your pipeline, and it will take more time to restart it later.
The truth is that companies still have personnel needs and continue their recruitment processes throughout November and December. Many companies also get new budgets in January to fill new positions or unfreeze previously unfilled positions. Furthermore, there may actually be less competition for available positions as many job seekers will temporarily drop out of the job market due to busy personal schedules or holiday activities.
While the recruitment process may take longer due to staff holiday vacations, just as many positions will get filled during the holiday season as any other time. According to the ADP Research Institute, employment in the private sector for 2017 increased by 135,000 jobs in September 2017; 235,000 jobs in October; and 190,000 jobs in November. Offers that are made in January are usually the result of interviews that were conducted in November and December.
Because hiring doesn’t take a holiday, follow these five steps to make the most of your job search:
1. Network at Holiday Events
Your colleagues, friends, and family provide great networking resources during holiday events. At the staff luncheon, sit beside someone you want to know better instead of co-workers you already know. If you are participating in a community or business event, be knowledgeable of data and outcomes regarding your latest projects. Attending a friend’s cocktail party can also be a great way to make new contacts. Be prepared to distribute personal business cards that contain your contact information, LinkedIn profile URL, and qualifications. By connecting with someone new at each event, your network will quickly expand.
2. Reconnect with Past Contacts
When making new contacts, don’t forget about your past colleagues. Use the holiday season to renew connections with former co-workers, supervisors, and alumni from your alma mater. If you have lost touch with a few connections, LinkedIn can help you find out where they are now. Of course, you need to make sure your own LinkedIn profile is up to date as well. You can also email out holiday greetings or mail traditional greeting cards with appropriate updates about what is new with you.
3. Take Time for Reflection
Take time to relax and reflect when the holiday season becomes stressful. To rejuvenate your spirits, have coffee with an old friend, visit family, or refocus on physical and mental health. Maintaining a regular exercise routine and eating low fat and low sugar foods will help boost your mood and increase energy levels.
4. Participate in a Volunteer Activity
The holiday season offers a wealth of volunteer opportunities, from collecting toys and coats for children to serving meals to less fortunate families. Use this times to help someone else in need. You may also be able to learn new skill sets and expand network contacts. To find volunteer opportunities, check-in with your religious organization, community agencies, or websites like Volunteer Match.
5. Learn New Skills or Knowledge
Lifelong learning is important, and you can also use your downtime to improve computer skills, focus on leadership, or learn something new like mindfulness. You can take a non-credit workshop, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), or utilize online resources like Lynda.com.
Next Steps
Rethink what you want your personal brand to be, and don’t wait until the New Year to get started with finding a new job. Career consultants are available to help at Quantum Career Consulting.
Tonya Osmond, EdD, LPC, is a Career Consultant and President of Quantum Career Consulting, LLC. With more than 20 years of career counseling experience, she is a licensed professional counselor in both Maryland and Virginia.