Many job seekers stop job hunting during holidays. But no, you should never stop searching for a job even if it is the holiday season. You may feel like no one is hiring during the holidays. However, you are missing out one point. Companies don’t stop recruiting and in fact they hire more people in November and December compared to January.
Below is the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s reports:
- 4,529,000 hires – November, 2013
- 4,578,000 hires – December, 2013
- 4,535,000 hires – January, 2014
As you can see from the numbers, unlike the popular opinion, companies keep hiring during holidays and not just for temporary seasonal jobs. Global competition doesn’t take a break so companies need all of its activities going at full speed.
Another topic to keep in mind that many companies finalize their recruiting budget before the end of the year so if they still have money left, they use it to fill up the remaining openings. Moreover, some companies want to hit the ground running on January 1st so they can immediately start working on their goals. Therefore, they keep hiring during holidays.
Holidays are a great time to get ahead of the competition because there are fewer applicants. Job applicant market slows down during this period because people pay more attention to their family and friends rather than searching for a new job. This means there are less competition and more chances for you to get noticed and land a great interview.
Holidays are also perfect for networking. There are so many events and parties you can attend and as a result, you can make new connections or reestablish your connections with former friends or coworkers. Furthermore, use the holiday parties to find contacts in the companies that you want to work for and send those contacts greeting cards. You never know what connection you will find from whom.
Making yourself available during the holidays is also very important. Don’t take long trips and keep your schedule flexible for interviews. You may also get asked to go to a different place other than the office for the interview, if the key decision makers are on vacation. Hence, be cooperative.
The bottom line is don’t quit searching for a job during holidays. Evaluate this period well and stay focused. You will see that while everyone else is shopping or partying, you will find your dream job.
