The end of the year might seem like a terrible time to look for a new job. Half the time, it seems like everyone’s on vacation, and the other half the time, they’re dealing with year-end reviews.
December is anything but business as usual, but for that reason, it might actually be the perfect time to job search. Last year, Business Insider reported on an Adecco Survey in which 94 percent of hiring managers urged job seekers to keep looking during the holiday season.
Here’s why:
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Companies are hiring.
Contrary to popular belief, hiring managers don’t take December off. In fact, many HR professionals say that hiring is just as strong during the holiday season as at any other time of year.
“If a job is available, whether it’s the holiday season or not, it has to be filled,” John Robak, chief operating officer and executive vice president for Greeley and Hansen, told The Ladders. “We’re a professional services firm, and, at the end of the day, we’re about selling billable hours. If there’s a job vacancy, we’re still interviewing people.”
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The holidays are a great time of year for networking.
Experts say as many as 80 percent of all open jobs are unadvertised — meaning that they’re filled by referrals and internal hires. You won’t find them by applying online, but you might through networking.
The biggest networking mistake most people make is assuming it only counts if they’re making connections at a trade show, conference, or formally branded networking function. Any social event that puts you in contact with people you don’t know, or refreshes your friendship with people you do know, helps build and strengthen your network.
The holiday season is bursting at the seams with parties. Instead of trying to figure out how to get out of them, pack your business cards and make friends.
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Job searching is a state of mind.
You don’t need to believe in The Secret to recognize that your mental state affects outcomes in your life and career. It’s all about being prepared to grab opportunities when they come up. Hit the “off” switch on your job search for December, and you might fail to recognize a great career move.
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There might be unexpected openings … and more money.
“Vacancies occur soon after some people receive year-end bonuses and quit,” writes Nancy Collamer at Forbes. “Employers are then often left scrambling to fill these openings. As a former HR manager, I can tell you that trying to bring on new staffers rather than taking time off for the holidays was a royal pain in the neck. I tended to fill those vacancies with more urgency (and a bit less caution) than at other times of the year.
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You could miss out on seasonal work.
A lot of industries see a surge in business during December, including retail. If you’re looking for a job to tide you over until your next big career move, or a gig to pad your budget for the holidays, now’s the time to move.
Tell Us What You Think
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