Hired for the holidays: Don't slow job search

December 19, 2012|By Kristyn Schiavone | Tribune Media Services
  • The job search can be fruitful during the holidays.
The job search can be fruitful during the holidays.

Many job seekers think the holiday season is time to give yourself a well-deserved break from those endless cover letters, interviews and networking events. Why not? Nobody's hiring anyway, right?

Wrong. In fact, this is a misconception of epic proportion, says Ford R. Myers, author of "Get the Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring."

"People have this mistaken belief that everyone is on mental vacation during the holidays, and that nobody is focused or thinking about hiring," Myers says. "The perception is that everyone turns their brain off after Thanksgiving, and that's a myth.

"[In addition, job seekers] get very busy with additional activities, parties, and gifts to buy. They feel like they just can't handle it, so they put their job searches on hold, because ‘nobody's hiring anyway, so why bother.' It's a circular thing ... one leads back to the other," he says.

The holiday season is actually the time to amp up your job search, because companies have the money to hire and your competitor job seekers aren't on their game. Not only that, but "it's the holidays" is a built-in excuse for getting back in touch with people who could potentially help you land that dream position.

Here are some of Myers' career tips for the holiday season, including a couple for happily employed people:

Take contract work, retail work and temporary work. Myers has many executive-level clients doing temporary work or retail jobs during the holidays to tide them over. He advises that these seasonal jobs are a good way to get a foot in the door with a company, even if the actual job is below your level. "I have an executive client delivering packages at UPS, and now he's a known commodity. Maybe he'll wind up getting a professional position," Myers says.

Network. Whether it's with a phone call or a holiday card, make contact with everyone in your network to catch up and let them know you're looking. And attend every social event you're invited to, even your alumni association Christmas party.

Volunteer. Soup kitchens, clothing drives and other non-profits are always looking for extra hands during the holidays. "Volunteering makes you feel good and allows you to give back, but on a more selfish note, you'll make contacts with other volunteers," Myers says. "It's a whole new network of people."

Do a "career inventory" on yourself. If you're happily employed, the holidays are still no time to lay down on the job. Make a list of tangible accomplishments from the year, think about your plans moving forward and consider what new challenges you'll take on in the year ahead. And make sure you get that year-end review with your boss.

Interview. "At this time of year, even if you're comfortable in your job, interview for other jobs anyway to gauge your value in the marketplace," Myers says. "You don't want to get rusty and complacent in your job, and it improves your interviewing skills.

"And what if they make you an offer that's $40,000 more than you're making now?" he adds. "Even if you don't take the job, that tells you something."