Fall brings crisp leaves, apple cider, kids in costumes, families around holiday tables and a drop in job search. For some reason all these things are great except that last one. Why is it that job seekers, both employed and unemployed, relax their search efforts during the 4th Quarter?
Regardless of the reason why, here are some tips on what to do to remain successful during what job seekers think of as a “useless” and “dead” search quarter (hint: plenty of people get hired during Q4).
Tip #1: Do Nothing Different
According to Professor John Millikin of the W.P. Carey School of Business, you should do nothing different. He said, “It may make sense to mentally pull in your expectations for a fourth-quarter start date, but not your efforts. Some companies who operate on a calendar fiscal year may be waiting to hire until the first quarter, but that is certainly not always the case. When companies are hiring, they are basically hiring for the long haul. I was hired in the fourth quarter and have hired people in that quarter, as well.”
Tip #2: Network, Network, Network
This is an important tip during every quarter however, as Melanie Winograd with The Impact Group points out, 4th Quarter has parties and holiday gatherings which makes it a great time to use who you know to identify gaps in organizations that you can fill.
Tip #3: January Hires are recruited in Q4
Lauren Milligan with ResuMAYDAY mentions that while January may be one of the busiest hiring months, the candidates that land during that month come into contact with companies during November and December. If you’re going to land during Q1, you’ll need to be searching actively during Q4.
Tip #4: Keep Interview Skills Fresh
Candidates land interviews, and jobs, in 4th quarter, which means it’s essential to keep your skills fresh. Jeff Gordon, publisher of I Want An Education, recommends you practice their interview skills to enhance them, arrive early when invited to an interview and look your best.
Tip #5: Go Social
If anytime was going to be the time to overcome your fear, and possible frustration, with LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, make it your 4th Quarter job search objective. Social networks are where 67% of companies are investing their recruiting dollars next year and where over 80% of companies source their candidates. Spend more time integrating social media into your search; even it’s just posting that you’re “learning something new today about social media and your search”. It’s a step in the right direction.
