- November 18, 2015
- Posted by: The Mason Group
- Category: Job search
A New Job For The New Year
Contrary to popular belief, December is a great month to look for your next accounting, finance or banking career opportunity. In her article “Why December Is The Best Time Of Year To Look For Work” published on the Huffington Post, Mary Eileen Williams gives two compelling reasons why this is true:
#1 Competition levels drop dramatically. The majority of job-seekers figure that the holidays are a waste of time and make only marginal efforts to search for a new position. But their unfortunate mistake can turn into your big advantage because…
#2 Hiring takes off in the New Year. Although interviewing for full-time employees takes a dip in December, the months of January and February typically generate the strongest hiring period of the year. Organizations kick-off new projects and initiatives, budgets are put into place and additional staff is required to carry out the company’s plans.
Accordingly, if you take full advantage of the opportunities that the holidays have to offer, you may well find yourself as a sought after candidate–one who’s first in line to be interviewed in early January.
Here Are 8 Ways To Maximize Your Job Search In December:
1. Pick The Right Timing
Focus your job search in the first two weeks of December when companies are still operating as usual.
2. Holiday Networking
Attend as many events, parties and community gatherings as you can. Rather than seeing it as a burden, see it as an added bonus to network with potential employers or people who might provide you with leads. Just remember to keep things social – you don’t want to be handing out your resume at a party. If you have a conversation with someone you think might be helpful to your search, ask for their contact information and follow up later. Feeling a little anxious when it comes to networking? (and who doesn’t!), check our holiday networking tips to make the most of holiday networking.
3. Book An Information Interview
Try to arrange an information interview in December, when most managers have a more relaxed schedule. Even if the company isn’t hiring at the moment, they’re likely planning ahead for next year. If you send in your resume in December or schedule an information interview, you might be the first person they call when a new role comes up.
4. Send Greeting Cards
The holiday season is a great time to send paper or electronic greeting cards to anyone in your network who might be able to help you in your job search and offer a lead. Avoid mentioning your search in the card, but do include your contact information and even your LinkedIn profile URL, so the recipients can circle back after the holidays to catch up.
5. Use Your Holiday Office Party To Your Advantage
Use your own office party to socialize with senior management and make a good impression. Holiday office parties always provide good opportunities to mingle with executives in a more relaxed and casual environment.
6. Stay Close To Home
If you’re actively looking for a new job, don’t take holidays too far from home. You want to keep an open schedule and stay reachable in case a hiring manager or recruiter contacts you to set-up an interview.
7. Be Productive With Your Downtime
Use December’s slower business pace to your advantage. In your downtime, research companies or positions you’re interested in. Review your resume and redraft if necessary, along with updating your LinkedIn profile. Also, work on your interview skills by registering to a webinar or reading articles on the web.
8. Rest up
Last but not least, take a break from your job search during the last week of December when many companies slow down or close for business. Looking for a job is hard work and you’ll need to be well rested when things start to pick up again in January.
Has looking for a job in December paid off for you in the past? We’d love to hear your story.
Thank you for sharing.
I never actively search for a new job in December but will try this December to see how it goes.
Regards,
Bingbing
Thanks for the insight
Thank you for writing such an informative and useful post. Finding a job would be difficult and time-consuming. I had intended to look for work during the pandemic, but I was skeptical that it would be worthwhile. Fortunately, I came across a fantastic article that provides practical advice and tips to make job searching easier. I’m hoping to find the perfect job for me.
This piece is both fascinating and timely. Finding a job, however, requires much time and work. Finding a job that truly fits my skills exhausts me in my situation. Thank goodness, I came across an article that was so beneficial and offered guidance and recommendations that are actually useful.