Posted under Job Search on December 15th, 2007
I just finished a conversation with a job search candidate who has been searching nearly 6 months. The kind of conversation I don’t participate in nearly as often as I would like. The conversation that starts with the candidate looking a bit sheepish and saying: You know you were right when you said…….Ah, music to the ears of any career coach!
The pearl of wisdom to which he was referring? My statement that he should NOT gear down his job search over the “holidays” since no one will be hiring. Not so! He was here to confirm the opposite. He wanted to let me know he had a job offer. And come to think of it, his last job search garnered an offer in December. However, a recruiter had just called to tell him “no one hires over the holidays” so take it easy for a few weeks. This is a myth that is stealing the joy out of many holiday festivities. In my experience, many candidates use this myth as means to justify a personal desire to take time off over the holidays, not because it is based on reality. The holiday season is a terrific time to gear up your search.
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”.
So quit hitting the eggnog and go deck company halls with your resume!
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