Contrary to popular belief, December is a really smart time to work on finding a new job, for several reasons.
First and foremost, there’s less competition. Recruiter survey data cited by Monster show that although hiring may be at lower levels in most industries, “recruiters are determined to fill the year’s remaining openings by December 31, and the supply of applicants dwindles as Christmas and the new year approach.”
Meanwhile, there are unique networking opportunities as holiday socializing provides natural occasions to reconnect and meet people.
While the holidays may be an extra-busy time for some, for others there are lulls. A coffee date or informational interview may be more do-able than usual. Even if your invitation or request is turned down, you’ve reminded someone of your existence right before January and February, two of the busiest hiring months of the year.
To jump in January, get ready in December. Prepare to respond quickly to opportunities by improving your resume and online presence (especially LinkedIn), preparing a list of SOAR stories and polishing your interview skills.
This is also a great time to make a list of companies you’d like to work for and launch a proactive campaign to gather inside information and contacts before positions open up.
Finally, if you’re planning to seek assistance from a resume writer / career coach, decide who you want to work with and schedule time with that person. Calling a career coach in January is like calling a tax person in April; they may be too busy to help you on short notice.
Whatever you do for your career in December, give yourself a big pat on the back for being wise, diligent – and ready to land a new job. It may be the best Christmas present you can give yourself!
