Tag Archives: Holiday Job Advice

December 4, 2015 · 2:16 pm

Why the Holidays are Ideal for Launching a Job Search

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It’s a question our resume division receives every year around this time: Is the holiday season really a good time to launch a job search?

And our answer is always the same thing: An overwhelming, resounding yes.

And we’ll tell you why.

‘Tis the Season… for a New Career

  1. A lot of jobseekers actually delay or suspend their search over the holidays. The conventional wisdom is that the holiday season is a poor time to look for employment—many jobseekers are so overwhelmed with other holiday responsibilities that they simply take themselves off the market between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day.

That’s good news for you. Less competition means more opportunities for you to shine—so while other jobseekers sit things out, you should put yourself in the game.

  1. Many companies go through a lot of turnover during the holidays. This is one of the prime times of year for established employees to start itching for a change—putting in their notice and heading off for greener pastures.

So if you think a lot of companies don’t hire over the holidays, think again: There are a lot of opportunities, and a lot of openings you could fill.

  1. The holiday season makes networking easier. There’s an old saying that, in jobseeking, it’s not what you know but who you know.

Well, you’ll have plenty of ways to reconnect with the people you know during the holidays—sending Christmas cards and LinkedIn greetings, or bumping into people at holiday parties. These are all great opportunities to build your network and let people know you’re looking.

Clearly, this is a fine season to really bump your job search into high gear—assuming you’re willing to put in some hustle and approach your search strategically.

A good place to start is with a new resume—and our team is standing ready, even during this busy time of year, to give yours the polish it needs.

Get started on your holiday job search. Contact Grammar Chic at 803-831-7444 or www.grammarchic.net.

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November 28, 2014 · 9:30 am

Should You Suspend Your Job Search Over the Holidays?

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The holidays are sufficiently busy that many jobseekers effectively put their searches on hold, from Thanksgiving through the start of January. They simply assume that employers are going to be too busy with holiday parties and end-of-the-year reporting—plus getting ready to start strong in the new year—to deal with things like hiring new talent.

This couldn’t be more wrong.

On the contrary, the holiday season is often an ideal time to seek out new employment. There is a lot less competition—many jobseekers actually do suspend their searches over the holidays—but also a lot more desperation for open positions to be filled. Landing the perfect position just might be easier than ever when you try to do it during the month of December. Who knew?

Holiday Job Hunt Tips

How should you go about a holiday job hunt? Basically like you’d go about a job hunt in March or August or October, but with a few special notes:

  • Don’t be timid about the fact that you’re looking for work. Many jobseekers are a little bit chagrined to talk openly about their need for employment, especially during this festive season—but being withdrawn about it can lead to some missed networking opportunities.
  • Use the holidays as an icebreaker. Just met a business owner who could give you a job? Initiate conversation about holiday crowds, travel, the weather—you name it. The holiday season serves as its own wonderful conversation-starter.
  • Don’t just use the holiday season as a conversation-starter, but also use it as a natural opportunity to reconnect. If there are old colleagues or friends you haven’t spoken to in a while, the festive season presents a natural chance to call, e-mail, or message them on LinkedIn.
  • Have you met with any hiring managers or recruiters over the past year? Send them a holiday card. It never hurts to just remind people that you’re there.
  • Get out of your house—yes, even in the cold—and socialize. Mingle. Go to as many parties and functions as you can get yourself invited to. Practice selling yourself, and hone your personal elevator pitch. There’s really nowhere better to do so than at a party.

And though it probably goes without saying: It’s not too late to have your resume perfected. Contact the Grammar Chic resume team today at www.grammarchic.net, or 803-831-7444.

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