Every year I hear countless job seekers say the same thing, “I am going to put my job search on hold until after the Holidays.” Unfortunately, this is yet another example of conventional wisdom misfiring. Here are some of the reasons that “suspending” your search in December will do more damage than good:
- I have never seen a December in the search business that wasn’t extremely busy – good economy or bad. Many companies are trying to get positions filled before year’s end because of budgets or potentially losing the headcount. The latter is of particular concern right now, given the state of the economy and new job creation.
- During December, there are multiple opportunities to network through holiday parties. The amount of people you can reach out and touch is two to three times that of any other time of the year. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?
- Think of your job search as a sales and marketing campaign. You should be creating “buzz” about your product – you! You have worked hard building up this “buzz” – so why stop now? Again, think about all the people gathering and networking (social or otherwise) this month. Don’t you want to remain top of mind?
- People are conditioned to connecting and re-connecting over the holidays. Combine this with a more charitable sprit and your networking efforts are made much easier. As many push their workloads off until the New Year, making introductions, renewing connections and touching base is much easier. Why wait until after January 1, when everyone is battling a pile of December’s procrastination on their desk?
- For those companies who aren’t going to hire until January 2012, staying top of mind right now is even more important. Simply put, who has a better chance of landing the job – the person who has been in touch, networking and establishing rapport over December –or- the person who makes their first contact via email on January 2?
ExecuNet cited that executive level searches are taking upwards of 10 months in this market and the average job search is 2.5 – 3 weeks per 10K in annualized salary. Networking and relationship building are crucial to shaving months off this average for yourself. So, this is no time to rest! Keep building on that momentum you have worked to build in 2011 for your job search. If one of your resolutions for 2012 is to make a career move, there is no better time to get a leg up on the competition.
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Kevin,
We need to be reminded that now is the not the time to slow down. So thank you for encouraging us to keep on top of those job searches. Some companies are hiring and probably getting thousands of applications. One way to stand out is to keep the communication hot when others may have slacked off.
Furhana,
Your comment made me think of another article that will not only be helpful to those networking this month, but is also very timely - http://www.careerattraction.com/missing-something/
Hope you enjoy it!
Kevin
Actually, "conventional wisdom" has morphed into the conventional warning: "Think hiring goes on hold for the holidays? Think again..."
Really, we get a torrent of articles every December now telling people to network over the punch bowl and buttonhole the executive who is now at his desk rather than out on the road or in meetings. I wonder if "fresh thinking" career counselors realize how lemming-like this makes them look, especially if they think they're the first ones who are writing about this. (present company excepted, of course)
It would be more useful to think about the challenges employers face with fourth quarter close-outs clashing with first quarter planning and the prospect of year end vacations threatening to denude their staffs before the month is out. Many have trouble even getting their heads together enough to lay out administrative steps for serious candidates to take. (Yes, I've experienced this-- it's not a myth.)
I think what candidates can do is secure a spot on the "should talk to more" list for decision making executives. That means sticking to broad positive "aspirational" themes with them if you get a chance to talk to them-- how much broader and bolder you can think compared to the narrow Mr/Ms. Fixits they may be considering for short term problems. You can then be top of mind when the hiring meetings are held in January in a way that you might not have been at other times of the year.
KV
And you know Kevin, that peeps forget that networking during the Holidays is not only effective, it may be the most fun way to really be seen. So when we go out there to connect, rather than apply for a position we can bring multiple aspects of ourselves forth. Great way to show off the Brand called Y-O-U!
Kent,
I couldn't agree more. This isn't another opportunity to let people know you are looking (frankly, you should never focus there), but to demonstrate how you can help them "now." Stay top of mind with executives by catering to what they need most: solcing their problems.
Great perspective and thanks for sharing!
Kevin
Couldn't agree more Kevin! It's a great time to move forward on your job search and position yourself for success. If you're planning to network at social events, here are tips on doing it without being annoying: http://bit.ly/guamZ1
Hope everyone is staying motivated and making great progress this month!
This is a great article by Carrie...I'd recommend everyone give it a read: http://blog.jobfully.com/2010/12/turning-social-events-into-networking-opportunities/
I think you nailed it Kevin. Already this month I have had an interview. I didn't get the job, but at least I was in the mix. If you don't continue to make contacts - regardless of time of year you will need to "prime the pump" all over again. Sure some companies may drag their feet a bit especially the last ten days of the month with many of the hiring managers (and others) out of the office. But in the past, I have found more than one job in the final weeks of the year. And at least two of those were in the early to mid 1990's. I think this has always been a fallacy.
Great post Kevin!