Is There a Holiday Hiring Slump? Not Necessarily
It is true that from Thanksgiving to Christmas a company’s hiring of new employees is greatly diminished. However, that doesn’t mean that if you are looking for a new job, you should wait until the new year. Just the opposite is true.
Before I became an Entrepreneur, 3 of my corporate jobs were secured during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of January and each of the jobs I held for almost 5 years. Many job seekers feel that there is no point in actively searching and applying for positions around the holidays. This is only true in some cases. Because the majority of the population feels the same way, the competition for jobs is significantly less. Most people are just not paying attention, so if there is a position that seems a fit, apply. Chances are there will be significantly fewer applicants.
Another reason hiring at companies is slow around the holidays is because the focus is on year end activities, company parties, family and vacations. Also, most companies hiring budgets have been exhausted and there are simply no remaining funds in annual budgets to support any new hires. However, although companies may not physically hire during the holidays, they may begin to post the openings because the entire recruiting cycle could take more than a month. The most important area job applicants should focus on is preparing and getting ready. There are typically two times during the year when there is a great deal of hiring. One is just after the summer, when everyone is back from vacation, kids are in school, etc. The busiest time is actually during the 2nd or 3rd week of January. New annual budgets, hiring targets are fresh and ready to be filled.
The most important thing an applicant can do is focus and prepare so they are ready and have first crack at the positions when they come online. This means writing or revising their resume, cover letters, register on the major job boards, setting up automated alerts and updating an optimizing their LinkedIn Profile. As a Global Career Job Search Coach, I supply these services to individuals around the world. This preparation had already started as new clients are signing up for our services each week.
So yes, it is true that there are fewer job openings posted and less actual hiring during the holidays. But, this does not mean you should sit back and wait until January to get ready. Spend the time now getting ready and you will be ahead of everyone else when the new jobs are posted.
About Us
During the past 30+ years, I have worked in several large Fortune 500 companies, have been an entrepreneur starting 4 companies (3 of them global) and was the Director of Human Resources for a Non-Profit. During my career, have been on over 100 interviews at many different companies, a hiring manager at large companies interviewing hundreds more and a global recruiter, placing hundreds of candidates all around the world. If there is one subject I am considered an expert on, it's helping people find jobs. I am currently a Global Career Job Search Coach, Global HR and Talent Acquisition Consultant.
Global Expansion, Inc. provides Executive Career-Job Search Coaching, Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Job Board Registrations and LinkedIn profile updates and Optimization.
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