The Holiday Job Hunt Advantage
Did you know… the holiday season is actually a great time for your job hunt! I know this is counterintuitive. For most people, it doesn’t seem to be the optimal time to look for a new job.
However, there is a phenomenon that makes this a great time to update your connections and find a new role, and that would be an exciting way to ring in the New Year.
In simplest terms, your competition pretty much quits while the job market only slows down a little. I call this the Holiday Job Hunt Advantage, and it could be the advantage you’ve been waiting for!
If you’ve heard people say things like, “The job market is dead during the holidays,” “No one’s hiring until the New Year,” or “Everyone’s on vacation,” you’re not alone. These are the comments we hear from job seekers every year about this time. This is confirmed by an article I discovered in Forbes by Duke University economist Dr. Bill Conerly (see below to contact me for the links to articles and statistics from this post).
Yet hiring managers don’t slow down at the same level. Statistically speaking,
I have found pre-pandemic data from 2001 - 2019 showing average new hires by month that dropped 20 percent in November and December from the annual averages. Then, in 2022, new hires dropped much less than that in October and November but picked right back up in December.
Since hiring managers take vacation time around this time of year, job-seeking candidates - even those seeking leadership roles and opportunities with recruiters - get discouraged by companies’ lack of responsiveness.
So many of those job-seeking candidates put their job hunt on hold.
Meanwhile, companies who still have key positions open NEED to them filled before or right after the New Year. During the holiday season, we hear leaders say: The pool of candidates is so small now … how am I going to find the ONE!
This phenomenon can be YOUR advantage!
How do I know this? Every year, I’ve helped and seen people get hired as regularly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve as at any time of the year. I encourage candidates not to take their “foot off the gas” like many other job seekers; it will be easier to stand out and get the interviews and job offers you want. Also, because many mid-level and administrative-level workers take vacations at this time, you’re much more likely to reach hiring managers directly by email, text, LinkedIn, or phone.
This is the time to push the pedal to the tinsel, keep spinning the dreidel, or [insert your own holiday metaphor here].
Additionally, by networking, building relationships with new people, and submitting job applications during the holiday season, you are getting on a company or recruiter’s radar before the beginning of the first quarter as new budgets take effect and the mad rush of the new year takes over!
Risk waiting, and you’ll end up in an overcrowded job market in January when everyone is clamoring for that “new year, new career” - comparable to the mad rush at the gym after New Year’s resolutions. In fact, a CareerBuilder study has shown OVER 75% of the workforce is either actively looking or open to looking for something better in January. Don’t get lost in that highly competitive ocean!
Now, let’s look at how you can take advantage of the Holiday Slow-Down Advantage. There are a few key things to consider in your networking and job search to make the most of this unique advantage this holiday season. These include:
Personal connection: Reconnect with people in your network and ask how they’re doing, how they thrived this year, and what their goals are for next year. Set up a virtual coffee or eggnog meeting, and have fun. Even if you bring no agenda, you will expand your circle of influence and be thought of when someone hears about an opportunity for you. Just make sure to gently and clearly inform them of your goals and value proposition and reiterate your willingness to repeat this kind of relationship-building connection.
Giving: As you reconnect with people in your network, ask them how you can support them through the holiday season. As appropriate, send or bring gifts that are thoughtful and warm. I’m not talking about bribes, but truly thoughtful things like chocolates or gingerbread cookies! Don't ask for anything in return, or it’s not real generosity!
Feed your relationships with recruiters by showing them gratitude for ANY conversations you’ve had with them, insights they’ve provided, and the hard work they do matching candidates with companies. This shows you care and understand the role they play.
Send a Holiday E-card that includes a link to your LinkedIn profile. Be thoughtful in blending a personal touch with a professional connection. This pays dividends when those people hear about opportunities for you.
Finally, share with your network the organization or the charity you are supporting this holiday advantage season. Explain why the cause is dear to your heart and any leadership role you may hold with the organization. For example, at Be the One, we are committed to the environment and support the Environmental Defense Fund for its work globally.
Your unique approach will boost your positioning and get you closer to being the one best candidate for a job you love.
So how about you?
How will you keep your energy and spirits high as you stay in contact with people this season?
Thank you for reading this message and best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity from me, my team, and my family to you and yours. As always, we are here to help with your resume, LinkedIn profile, or anything related to managing a leadership career you love. Feel free to contact me at at [email protected].
