Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2022 and has been updated for November 2023.
If you’re in the process of job hunting right now, you may be questioning if you should continue your search during the holiday season. The answer is yes, keep looking and applying.
Even as the job market fluctuates up and down, many companies still have jobs to fill and recruiters are still looking for available and qualified candidates.
Here are five reasons to keep your job search going:
1. Hiring happens all year round.
Companies still hire in November and December, even as the holiday season ramps up. A company may need to fill a position by the end of the year, have an urgent need to find someone for an upcoming project, or are still trying to find someone for that hard-to-fill role.
2. There may be less competition.
While this could be debatable with some larger companies announcing layoffs, you may still have less competition due to some job seekers taking a break over the holidays. If you keep looking, it may be to your advantage because the hiring manager may have fewer resumes to review and may be more likely to see yours. So, while others pump the breaks on their search, put the pedal to the metal and get to work!
3. The holidays are a good time to reach out to friends and family.
If you have some good friends or family members that you haven’t talked to in a while, the holidays are the perfect excuse to reach out and let them know you’re thinking of them. You could suggest getting together for coffee or lunch or even just a chat on the phone. As you are catching up, you can mention that you’re looking for something new. They may know someone or somewhere that’s hiring. Statistics do show that most jobs are found through networking.
4. Holiday get-togethers are opportunities for both socializing and networking.
As we get together during the holidays for events and parties, it is an opportunity—whether it’s virtual or in person—to not only mingle but to also find out if anyone knows any companies currently hiring in your field.
5. Consider taking a temporary job.
Taking a temporary, contract, seasonal, or part-time job could possibly lead to something more permanent or full time with the company. Plus, the company may also keep you in mind for any future openings they have, especially since they now know you and your abilities.
Bonus tip: Whether you’re taking some personal time off from your current job for the holidays or are not currently employed, consider working on your personal “brand” for a few hours—update your LinkedIn profile, refresh your resume, or create an online portfolio of your work. This is time well spent and you’ll be glad you did.
Have you tried job hunting during the holidays? How did it go for you?
At TMF, our recruiters are still busy during the holidays helping our clients find candidates. Let us help you with your job search, contact our recruiting team to find your next role. You can also see our current job opportunities here.
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