If you’re thinking of holding off on your job hunt until January, think again.
The truth is a lot of interviewing and even final hiring decisions are made during December — and applicants actively pursuing positions can get a jump on the flood of candidates that typically wait until January to enter the job market.
Many job hunters mistakenly believe employers are too busy in December with year-end accounting or budgeting issues, customers’ immediate needs or marketing plans for the upcoming year to focus on recruiting issues, but that’s simply not the case. It turns out for positions companies need filled by January or early February, December is precisely the period when they interview and try to nail down offers with top candidates fitting their criteria.
What if you’re currently unemployed? Are employers interested in you, too?
Absolutely. If you market your prior experience and accomplishments effectively — with a well-designed resume, during phone follow-ups with prospective employers and in person when you get a chance to interview — the answer is “Yes!” You, too, can land a desirable job this month. What’s more, since many people drop out of the job market in December or postpone their searches until January after the busy holiday and vacation season is over, the people actively searching and meeting employers, hiring managers and recruiters often encounter less competition for available openings. That’s obviously advantageous for unemployed job seekers.
Another advantage of job hunting in December is access to people you might not necessarily meet other times of year. Consider the friends or family you might meet at holiday dinners or other events. Casual conversations at such gatherings can easily lead to someone asking, “So what do you do?” Your response offers an opportunity to mention your job search status, whether you’re currently unemployed and looking for a job or employed and wanting to change jobs or careers.
During such conversations, don’t be surprised if the person you’re speaking with has a friend, colleague, client or family member to refer you to an employer or hiring manager looking to hire someone with your skills and experience. I’ve seen it happen often. In fact, I’ve connected people I meet who have a particular skill set or area of interest to recruiters and human resources people I know who place or hire people with that type of background. That’s what networking’s about.
Keep in mind, too, if you happen to be traveling this month, you can easily meet people while on vacation who have family, friends or professional colleagues in the location where you live and work. Their own companies might even have a division or branch near your home.
If your casual conversation unearths expertise and experience you possess that the folks you’re chatting with believe their contacts might need, referrals can be made and jobs can result. It’s a smaller world than you realize, and when you’re looking for a new job or career, casual conversations can often lead to the right opportunity.
The key to it all is to remain actively in pursuit of and open to opportunities during the balance of December. You may not have to start the job until January or February if you need to stay with a current employer until then to collect sales commissions or some other type of year-end bonus to which you’re entitled. Nailing down the opportunity, however, and knowing you’ll have the job you want when you’re ready for it can certainly make for a more relaxing December and a smoother start to 2016!
Excerpts from Mlive.com article written by: Sheryl Silver
Full article: https://www.mlive.com/careeradvice/2015/12/why_its_wise_to_keep_job_hunti.html
