There is a popular misconception that the holiday season is an inappropriate time to go job hunting with prudence dictating that the job search be suspended until after the holidays. The holidays are just around the corner and if you are looking for a new position it can be an uncomfortable time of year, if you do not know how to handle it. However, it can be a great opportunity if handled well, as I discovered.
Two recent consulting reports questioned this view regarding taking the holidays off, so I decided to ask a few HR managers. What they told me was a surprise although quite logical. Unemployment may be rising, but companies are still hiring and recruiters are still recruiting. Although December is a month of holidays, it is still an excellent month to look for and find a job.
They told me that recruiter commissions increase as the year progresses. They receive more from their companies on contracts that close at the end of the year, so it makes sense for them to get their candidates hired in December rather than in January (I have no idea why). Many managers and internal recruiters feel pressure to hire now for budgetary reasons — they have the money now but future dollars are uncertainty. They don’t want to wait until next year to hire. In some cases, managers may have spent this year’s budget but know that as of January 1, they have more funds available. They want to make an offer that includes a January 2nd hire date.
It is also true that people tend to give notice just before the holidays, use their vacation time to get through the holidays, and then start their job hunt in January. This opens up additional opportunities. Executives and senior managers are often easier to reach and in a better mood during the holidays so may be more willing to speak with you informally.
The fact is networking is easier during the holidays. Here is a perfectly legitimate reason for connecting and re-connecting with all of the folks on your holiday list, and to use your contact list to meet new people. This is a great time to update them on what is happening with you both personally and professionally. Competition is reduced because so many job hunters drop out during the holidays, dramatically reducing your competition.
Finally, the main reason to keep your job search active during the holidays is staying active in December gives you a head start on all of the January openings. There is nothing more depressing than having to restart your job search from scratch after the New Year.
Attend as many holiday events as you can during the next five weeks. When else can you meet so many new people who can potentially contribute to your job search in such a short period of time? Anticipate the kind of questions you are likely to be asked at these events and develop a strategy for dealing with them. You want to appear relaxed, friendly, interesting and interested.
Draft a warm, personal holiday networking letter to everyone in your network. At this time of year people often expect you to be in touch so do not disappoint them. Include a seasonal greeting, a brief update on your job or career, your intention for the future, and a request for suggestions or referrals.
If you are planning to attend holiday events, and you should treat it them as serious networking. Since you get only one chance to make a first impression with new introductions, plan your networking as though it were an interview. Preparation generally means five golden rules: Know the group/company with which you are engaging; do some research into any openings; know how your skills, experience and accomplishments fit the organization; know why you are qualified; and know why this firm has unique qualities, values or culture that make it a particularly good fit for you.
Develop and rehearse a short pitch. Make it simple and interesting. It should invite questions and make people want to talk with you. Finally, skip the alcoholic beverages. If you appear out-of-control, you will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and will never be recommended for anything.
Do not put your job search on the back burner during the holidays. You never know who might show up at your next networking event. It could be a recruiter, the corporate executive you’ve been trying to meet, or the staffing manager at a local company.