Every year, the holidays seem to sneak up on us. And while it’s a time of fun and celebration, it’s also the busiest time of the year – especially if you’re job searching.
You may be tempted to suspend your efforts till after the new year, assuming that no one will be hiring right now anyway. Well, guess what? You would be wrong in that assumption. Many employers are actually staffing up to meet year-end budget requirements, complete time-sensitive initiatives, and be ready to hit the ground running come January 2.
And, you may actually be at an advantage during December, as other candidates pull back on their efforts as visions of sugar plums dance in their heads …
Not to worry. You can both have the sugar plums – aka relax and enjoy the season – and optimize your career search efforts as 2014 winds to a close. Here’s how:
Use Holiday Events as Networking Opportunities
Accept holiday invitations – and use get-togethers and functions as venues to widen your net of potential career connections. Opportunity can strike even in the most unlikely places.
- Reach out to people who work for or have contacts at your target employers. Approach them at an event, give them a call, or send them a holiday greeting card and short note.
- Reestablish former connections. Get back in touch with former colleagues, managers, schoolmates, neighbors and others. Think of people you genuinely like and have lost touch with in recent months or years. Track them down via Facebook, LinkedIn or other social media.
- Make good use of your downtime. Do you have vacation time you need to use by the end of the year? In addition to shopping … use it to schedule informational interviews or networking meetings. Balance your time between holiday tasks and fun and staying on track with your job search. You’ll feel like you’ve given yourself a priceless gift when year-end rolls around.
- In an interview, use holiday topics to break the ice. Everyone can relate to the hustle and bustle of Christmastime, so chat about this topic as you break the initial awkwardness of meeting someone for the first time. Chances are, you’ll find common ground and the dialogue will take off from there.
A professional recruiter from Employment Professionals Canada can help you end 2014 on a positive note and be ready for whatever the new year brings in terms of achieving your short-and long-term career goals. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.