By Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC
Some people may think December isn’t an important month for your career search, but if anything, it could be an even more important month than any other! Timing is everything and December is the right time to continue your career search. Many factors contribute to December being an important month for your career search- check out some of them below.
Other Seekers Slow Down
Due to the idea of December being a slow hiring month, other job seekers may slow down their career search efforts. December is full of holiday parties and other family events which can, and in many cases should, pull focus from career goals. Setting aside some time to focus on your career search around important family events can ensure your holidays are less stressful than if you had waited until the new year to search for a job or update your resume.
Being on top of your game all of December means you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice for an interview at any time over the holidays or into the new year.
Job Types
Chances are companies have hired all the temporary help they plan on hiring for their busy season. Job postings still up will be for permanent positions companies are looking to fill in the future which could be in a week or in the new year. Searching for a new career before the holiday rush can easily get muddled by the part-time or temporary positions companies are posting for their influx of holiday business. The fourth quarter for many companies is a busy time to plan on expanding their companies which means more management, administration, and resource hiring. If there are any higher level management positions opening up at the beginning of the new year, December would be a good month to perform the training necessary for a successful transition.
Industry Ebb and Flow
Depending on the type of company you want to work for, the holidays may not be their busy season but could in fact be their slow times. They may have a lull in their larger projects around the holidays which makes December a good month to search for careers with these companies. Managers are evaluating their business year and considering places to make improvements and add positions. Some companies may be aware of their busy season in the coming year when they will have more projects and they need to hire and train people in time to take on the extra workload in December.
Start Dates
Many department heads get their yearly budgets by December and know what positions they can definitely hire for the new year. People starting in January to kick the year off will need to be vetted and hired in December at the latest. Ensuring your resume is in their hands for review before they head out on their holiday vacation may mean you have a job before Christmas. There are companies on the other side of the coin that must fill slots before the end of the year or potentially risk losing the open positions when they new year rolls around.
Decision Makers
New hire decision makers are generally driven, high energy, and career driven individuals. Regardless of what the calendar says and if they are meant to be on vacation, they check in at the office and may even sneak away to do work in private. They may recognize kindred spirit in someone who can also manager the work life balance around the holidays.
Conclusion
Deck the halls, hang mistletoe, and keep job searching in December! Taking advantage of the season is not only smart but could land you the job you’ve been dreaming of.
Let’s get to work!
– Linda
If you have questions about your executive job search, please contact me at 203-323-9977 or [email protected].