7 reasons to job search during the holiday season.
This is a guest post by Dave Thomas.
Could finding a job actually be easier during the holiday season?
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.
(Tell us why you voted that way in the comments)
Free bonus: Download a PDF version of this article to use as a handy reference.
7 Reasons To Job Search This Holiday Season
In the event youâve 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.
Donât 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, that it's time to take a break.
If thatâs the case, youâll have more access to employers as the number of resumes theyâre likely to receive will decrease.
3) Network, network, network
If youâre invited to holiday parties, what better time to network?
You may be a little hesitant to attend holiday events given youâre out of work, or maybe you can't due to quarantine or lockdown, 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 before and during the holidays 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 youâre hungry for work is half the battle.
5) Get your foot in the door before the 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 theyâre 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 new 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.
More holiday season job search tips
- Holiday Weekend Job Search Doâs and Donâts
- 7 tips for job hunting during the holidays
- Holiday Hope! How to Leverage the Holidays for Successful Job Search
Question of the article
Have you tried job searching during the holidays in the past? Tell us in the comments.
About the Author
Dave Thomas 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.
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.
Great article. Talk to managers while they are still in the cheery holiday mood!
Thanks for sharing!
Great article. This is an excellent time of year to look. Re: point #5, itâs especially a good time if youâre 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 wonât want to go into the New Year with empty positions.
HiâŠ.I sent out many resumesâŠalthough it is a holiday seasonâŠI stayed focused and just found a new positionâŠ.it is the best Holiday Gift I could give myselfâŠif you have to go shopping âŠget 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 JanuaryâŠwill be taking any job they can getâŠeven the lower level positions will be unavailable..ACT NOW.
Judy- good job! Thanks for sharing.
Pingback: 5 Ways to Boost Your Holiday Job Search | Take the Interview
Great tips! I have found this to be true as well â Thank you for sharing it! I love your advice regarding New Yearâs 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.
Fewer job searchers makes for easier hiring. I will remember that always.
Pingback: Holiday Weekend Job Search Doâs and Donâts | JobMob
Pingback: đž 365 Top Tips to Rock Your Job Search Every Day of 2020
Pingback: 365 Top Tips to Rock Your Job Search Every Day of 2021