There is a persistent and faulty idea that tempts jobseekers every holiday season. This idea suggests that jobseekers should take a break from their job search. Tradition posits the time between Thanksgiving and New Years as a “no job seeking zone,” a time when companies are not seriously looking into candidates and few people find jobs. If this is the case, why not take a break?
Logic like this did make sense a few decades ago. It was the case in years past that companies and businesses would shut down for the holidays. People took much longer breaks and vacations, and there was a lull in activity of all types. In other words, firms were not hiring because they were not operating.
Today, jobseekers face a completely different environment. Businesses in every industry hardly miss a beat during the holiday season. Far from shutting down operations, division heads frantically tie up all the loose ends from the previous year, and get their departments in line for the first quarter of next year. In many cases, searching for talent at the end of the year not only happens, but becomes a priority.
I recently read a great post on the Career Management Alliance blog listing various reasons why jobseekers should renew their efforts during the holiday season (read it here). Here are the reasons they give for why the holidays are great for jobseekers:
1. Tons of social events (read: networking opportunities)
2. A time to catch up with your network via holiday e-mails or cards
3. People are more approachable since the holiday good-will spills over to his/her professional life
4. Many companies are trying to get all the key people in place for 1st quarter initiatives
5. Your competition dwindles since other job seekers will drop out of the pool since “no one hires over the holidays”.
I spoke with Wendy Enelow today about construction job seekers and the holidays. With over 20 years experience and about 25 jobseeking books in her name, she has seen the holidays become more and more important to both jobseekers and hiring managers. She reiterated what a great time it was for individuals to renew their job search efforts: “A lot of people back off,” as tradition suggests, and this just “gives you more visibility.” Plus, many division heads have to spend their remaining budget dollars (use ‘em or loose ‘em they say….), and these are often diverted into new positions or salaries.
She also related a touching story from a few years ago, when a senior executive who had been out of work for 4 to 6 months kept up his job search over the holidays. On December 24th, a job offer came in (Merry Christmas to him!). It just goes to show that hiring goes on all the time, so there is no reason to slack off during the holidays.
Now is the time to upload or update your resume on TopBuildingJobs.com!
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