Holiday Season Job Hunting: Tips for Success

Employers hire staff when they need new people – even during the holidays.

If you’re one of a multitude of people who think that a holiday job search is a waste of time, it’s time to change that way of thinking. While it is true that hiring slows down during the holidays, completely pumping the brakes on your job search can cause more harm than good.

Yes, you can find and land a job during the holidays. You just have to employ the right strategy. That’s where the holiday season job-hunting tips in this article can help!

Myth: A holiday job search is an exercise in futility

Wayne Gretsky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” That certainly applies to a holiday job search!

In fact, it doesn’t really matter what time of the year it is – people are on vacation during the summer, back-to-school time means hiring managers are too busy getting kids ready to return to class, and the holidays are a time that everyone takes off to spend time with family – there always seems to be a reason to halt a job search.

Lack of motivation, feeling down about being unemployed, and a general sense of defeatism can happen to anyone, making it easy to fall into a pit of despair around finding a new job. But, the notion that the holidays are a bad time to look for a job is a myth.

Quite the contrary! There are several benefits to a holiday job search.

Benefit 1: Less competition

Companies still need employees, projects still need to be completed, and businesses still need to make money. This means there are jobs out there, and having a lot of people believe that companies don’t hire during the holidays can play to your advantage.

This is, of course, huge considering employers generally get hundreds of applications for an open position. Rather than competing against that magnitude of job seekers, you may only have a few dozen who apply for a job during the holidays.

Reduced competition from other job seekers lends itself to another perk that makes a holiday job search attractive! Since hiring managers have to review fewer resumes, you can expect the hiring process to go more quickly because the decision-making process is faster, with fewer applicants to pour over.

Benefit 2: Easier networking

As you’ve probably heard, networking is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful job search – any time of the year. It gets easier to network during a holiday job search because, well, there are holiday parties and events you can attend.

No matter whether you’re attending a personal or professional holiday gathering, you’ll find some pretty unique opportunities to connect with people who can help you in your job search. A big positive is that these events often have a more relaxed and festive atmosphere than traditional company get togethers, making it easier to strike up conversations and build relationships. You never know who you might meet at a holiday party – it could be a hiring manager, a potential colleague, or someone who knows of a job opening that hasn’t been advertised yet.

Not only that, but you can follow up with previous connections. The holidays give you a perfect excuse to reconnect with people in your professional circle. A simple message wishing them happy holidays can reopen lines of communication and remind them of your job search, potentially leading to new opportunities.

Benefit 3: ‘Tis the season of giving

The holiday season is a time when people are generally in good spirits and more willing to help others. Reaching out to your network during this time can lead to valuable introductions and referrals. Whether you send holiday greetings to old colleagues, attend industry events, or participate in community gatherings, these interactions can provide leads and insights that propel your job search forward.

The spirit of giving that pervades the holidays often translates into a greater willingness to assist others in their professional endeavors. People are more inclined to share job leads, offer advice, or make introductions that can help you in your job search. This goodwill can be a powerful asset, making it an excellent time to keep on trucking with your holiday job search.

Benefit 4: Employers are getting ready for the New Year

Another reason to keep pushing through a holiday job search while others are taking a break is that companies that do hire during the holidays are often trying to fill the position before budgets reset at the beginning of the new year.

The vast majority of companies plan their budgets and staffing needs by quarter. This means one of two things:

You could find a company trying to use up the last of the budget afforded them for the end-of-year spending
You could find a company trying to fill a position before a new budget comes out in January that kills any chance they have of onboarding new staff.

Either way, companies are trying to fill positions in anticipation of budget changes. So, by applying during the holiday season, you position yourself as someone who is ready to get started immediately on whatever they need.

Benefit 5: Seasonal jobs are widely available

Your goal may not be to find a part-time or seasonal position. You may be looking for something more long-term or permanent. However, it could be a mistake to discount the advantages of accepting a seasonal role.

Sometimes, seasonal jobs can become permanent positions. Let’s say you take a role as an Assistant Manager during the big Black Friday rush. Your work completely knocks the socks off the Store Manager, and they decide they want you on their staff. Well, now you have the opportunity to transition from a seasonal position into permanent employment.

Benefit 6: Opportunities for professional development

If nothing else, a seasonal position can close an employment gap on your resume. Since seasonal positions are often not full-time, you could have some extra time on your hands to complete some online courses or attend workshops to boost the hard and soft skills you possess that you know hiring managers are looking for.

Many professional development platforms offer discounts or special courses during the holiday season. Utilize this time to acquire new skills, improve existing ones, and stay competitive in your field. This proactive approach will not only benefit your holiday job search but also boost your confidence and marketability.

Practical tips for your holiday job search

Even though the world slows down a bit during the holidays, that doesn’t mean you should take a lackadaisical approach to your holiday job search. You still need to stay organized and follow up with potential employers on a consistent basis.

Follow these tips to keep your holiday job search on track – actually, your any-time-of-the-year job search:

1. Stay organized

Make a spreadsheet or have a notebook that you can use to keep track of job applications you’ve submitted, follow-ups you need to make, and feedback you received – whether that feedback is a rejection or an invitation to an interview. Make a note of the company names, position titles, the name(s) of key contacts, and the dates you applied/followed up. This level of organization will help keep you from doing extra (read: unnecessary) work and ensure that you don’t miss any opportunities.

2. Expect delays and be persistent

Remember, your holiday job search may hit a few snags because people do go on vacation during this time. You can expect slower responses from some of the companies, especially if they have a job listing out there with the sole purpose of collecting resumes.

Stay positive, and don’t let these delays discourage you. Remember, companies that are slow to respond probably are that way all year long. But persistence can pay off, especially considering there are fewer job seekers you have to compete against.

3. Tailor your resume to the job

Even though there are fewer job seekers to compete against, you still have to prove to the hiring manager that you have what it takes to be successful in the position they have to fill. Your resume also still has to get past the applicant tracking system. The ATS will scan your resume for relevant keywords – which you find by dissecting the job description – and your level of education and experience.

4. Follow up after you apply

Just like you would any time of the year, be sure to remember to follow up on applications you send out during your holiday job search. In fact, given holiday disruptions, following up effectively is probably more important than ever. Send an email about a week after you apply to inquire as to the status of your application. Reach out to people in your network if you haven’t heard back from them to thank them for working with you on a job search during the holidays. Being proactive like this helps prospective employers and members of your network remember you.

5. Get ready for interviews

You will eventually land an interview. You can break up the monotony of applying for jobs during your holiday job search by getting ready for interviews. This means figuring out your elevator pitch, practicing answers to common interview questions, and researching companies to make sure they fit your values. After all, you’re interviewing them just like they’re interviewing you.

A holiday season job search can pay off big!

The reality is that no time is a bad time to search for a job. You need employment, and employers need you. Update your resume, tailor it to the different jobs you apply to, and get ready for interviews. You’ll have a new job before you know it!

Is your resume ready to go to work for you during your holiday job search – or any other time, for that matter? ZipJob will review it for you for free and let you know what, if anything, is missing from it.