Career Management Alliance Blog

At a meeting last week I surprised people with the advice that this is a good time of year to step up your job search. Typically people think of the winter holidays as a time to ease up on job search activities, thinking “not much will be happening” at this time of year. However, an article by Sinara O’Donnell in the Wall Street Journal’s Career Journal says otherwise. From the perspective of a recruiter, she debunks 5 job search myths, and she points out the extent to which holiday hiring actually does take place.

The myths, according to O’Donnell:

• nobody hires in December
• you won’t find the job you really want in December
• nothing ever happens after December 15, so you might as well leave town
• even if an employer has an opening, the hiring manager won’t have time to meet with you
• you’ll have a better chance if you wait until the first of the year

The reality:

• this is an excellent time for networking
• there’s less competition (thanks to the myth)
• companies sometimes have to spend money in their budgets before the end of the year
• recruiters are motivated to place people so they can maximize their commission by year-end
• many companies want to start the year off strong, with their best team on board

What you can do to jump start your job search around the holidays:

• use holiday gatherings as an opportunity to network
• use holidays (especially Thanksgiving!) as a time to thank those who have been helpful in your search so far
• develop a list of target companies and share that with family and friends, and contact target companies - whether or not they have job openings - many companies are in the planning stages and your letter will arrive just as the need has been identified
• continue to look for job leads and submit your resume in the traditional ways

With a strong job search plan in place, you increase the chances that your season will be jolly.

posted by Wendy Gelberg