Surprise! ‘No holiday hires’ really is a myth, so take advantage.
This is a guest post by Dave Thomas. If you’d also like to guest post here on JobMob, follow these guest post guidelines.
While the holidays are a very busy time of year for most people, the time period can also be great for landing a job.
Unfortunately, many individuals in need of work figure that now is the time to take a break, no one is hiring with all the rush of the holiday season, and the only jobs that may be available are entry-level jobs such as low-paying retail gigs.
Think again.
As it turns out, many employers do take on new employees over the holiday season such as in Western countries, where many companies not in the retail business are winding down their end-of-year operations, giving them more time to focus on what they need from a manpower standpoint heading into the New Year.
7 Reasons To Job Search This Holiday Season
In the event you’ve been toying with taking a break over the holidays from the job hunt, keep some of these factors in mind:
1) Staying motivated
All of us at one time or another has found ourselves on the job prowl. Looking for a job is often a full-time job, meaning it is not uncommon to want to take a break. The problem with taking what is sometimes a prolonged break (a few weeks or months) is that we have trouble becoming motivated once again.
Don’t find yourself in a rut that might become too hard to get out of after the holidays are done.
2) The number of job hunters is likely to dwindle
While you may think there will be countless people searching for work during the holidays, keep in mind that many of them may be thinking like you too, it is time to take a break.
If that’s the case, you’ll have more access to employers as the number of resumes they’re likely to receive will decrease.
3) Network, network, network
If you’re invited to holiday parties, what better time than to network?
You may be a little hesitant to attend holiday events given you’re out of work, but that is exactly the time to get with other professionals who escaped the layoff bug and network. Ask them to give you some leads they may have on job openings, who exactly to contact. Heck, they may even put in a good word for you.
4) Work desire can be rewarded
Granted probably the last thing you want to be doing with the holidays only weeks away is job hunting, but it could work to your benefit. Some employers will view this as motivational, along with being an eagerness on your part to find work while others are looking to take off time from work over the holidays.
Showing a potential employer that you’re hungry for work is half the battle.
5) Get your foot in the door before New Year turnover
In some cases, companies will be dealing with turnover in the New Year. You can use this time of year to interview, and if all goes well, replace those who are on their way out.
6) Go with the holiday flow
Many bosses will be in a more relaxed mood with the holidays coming, so take advantage of it. The majority of employers (unless they’re retail managers) are winding down their year, and if it was a good one, could prove more receptive to the job you are seeking.
7) Give yourself a present
Lastly, what better holiday gift could you give yourself than a job?
Many people are out there looking for work. Take the initiative to find yourself a job during your holiday season so that you have something positive to kick-off your New Year.
While there are no guarantees that you will actually find a new job, the holidays really are a good time of the year to roll up your sleeves and go for it.
Better yet, you may get your foot in the door somewhere while your competition is stuck in the mall parking lot looking for a spot.
About the Author
Dave Thomas, who covers background checks among other subjects, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.
Question of the article
Have you tried job searching during the holidays in the past? Tell us in the comments.
Subscribe to JobMob via RSS or email and follow me on Twitter for more ideas on how to find jobs when others are on holiday.
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Jacob Share is the founder and SVP of 
Great article. Talk to managers while they are still in the cheery holiday mood!
Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Tracy
— November 28, 2011 #
Great article. This is an excellent time of year to look. Re: point #5, it’s especially a good time if you’re in sales or in the financial industry. For any industry, in some companies managers have a use-it-or-lose-it policy when it comes to their budget, so they won’t want to go into the New Year with empty positions.
Comment by Alex Carlyle
— December 2, 2011 #
Hi….I sent out many resumes…although it is a holiday season…I stayed focused and just found a new position….it is the best Holiday Gift I could give myself…if you have to go shopping …get it overwith and stay focused on a wonderful gift for yourself..prosperity for 2012.
Also..with unemployment possibly not being extended or maybe for a short period of time..keep in mind all of those people who will be running out of benefits by mid January…will be taking any job they can get…even the lower level positions will be unavailable..ACT NOW.
Comment by Judy
— December 2, 2011 #
Judy- good job! Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Jacob Share
Twitter: @jacobshare — December 2, 2011 #
[...] parties aren’t just for eggnog and ugly sweaters. If you get an invitation to one of these festive shindigs, use it as a valuable networking opportunity. Talk to people about companies that may be hiring – [...]
Pingback by 5 Ways to Boost Your Holiday Job Search | Take the Interview
— December 14, 2011 #
Great tips! I have found this to be true as well – Thank you for sharing it! I love your advice regarding New Year’s turnovers, this is so helpful! I have coached and spoken to thousands of people. Perpetual motivation is hard to do. This is why I wrote my newest book, Unstoppable.
Comment by Gail Kasper
— January 9, 2012 #