Make the Most of the Holiday Slow Down for your Job Search

I hear the same thing from job search clients every year; "Shouldn't I just wait until the new year to pick up my job search"? My answer remains, a firm 'No, absolutely not".  

Sure, things might slow down a bit during the holidays with all the time off and focus on holiday parties and activities, but jobs still need to be filled, especially those slated for the new fiscal year, that for many companies, begins January 1. Teams want to hit the ground running, so filling that open position becomes important to achieving goals.

So, how do you make the most of this time of year? 

1. Be patient! Just because you don't hear back immediately from an application or following a phone screening, doesn't mean you're out of the running. The recruiting department may just be short staffed, or key decision makers may be out of the office. Be patient. They WILL get back to you, especially those recruiters who are under the gun to fill those open positions.

2. Network. I have always adhered to, and recommended my clients take advantage of, this social time of year to get out and meet people. Everyone is a potential lead for that next great job. Get out from behind the computer, enjoy those holiday events you've been invited to and get the word out you're looking. You never know what connections that stranger by the punch bowl may have.

3. Work on your strategy during this time. Your own work is most likely a little slower right now, so use your downtime to build a strategy for attacking that search. Who do you know? What companies are you interested in? What is your unique value proposition? Practice interviewing. Prepare, prepare, prepare, so when those calls do come in, you're prepared to win the job.

4. Recognize the competition is lighter this time of year. After all, if most people give up on the job search during the holidays,that means less competition for you, fewer resumes crossing desks, and higher likelihood you'll get the call.
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And even if you aren't successful landing a job during the holidays, you'll be better equipped and ready to kick start your job search with new energy and a much more targeted approach.

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