With the percentage of Americans working at a 28-year-low, how are you going to find a job in this kind of market?
The winter holiday season is the prime time to look for a new job. Here are five reasons why:
1. Companies want tax breaks. Many companies try to hire candidates before year end because of federal income and employment tax benefits (thanks to the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, also known as the HIRE Act). They also get out of paying the 6.2 percent Social Security benefit if they hire you after March, but before January. And lastly, they will receive a $1000 tax credit for hiring you.
2. You will have less competition and stand out. Many people who have been job searching for months take a break from it during the holidays to visit family, do their shopping, and basically take a rest from the job of finding a job. January through March are the slowest times for new jobs to come to the market (probably due to the tax breaks that come after March), so it is in your best interest to find one during the holidays to ensure you are not jobless yet another two months after that. Furthermore, job seekers have the misconceptions that companies are only hiring for seasonal help, so they will leave many opportunities wide open for you.
3. Seasonal jobs frequently turn into full-time jobs. Apply for those seasonal positions, if only to make money in the short run, but give it everything you’ve got. Treat the job as you would a full-time position to make a great impression so that the company will want to keep you on. Almost 30 percent of retailers plan to hire and 30 percent of those plan to transition holiday help into permanent status according to a CareerBuilder survey.
4. There are lots of networking events to attend. Holiday parties for many of your area networking organizations will be in full force, so be sure to attend them and be ready to sell yourself. Listen carefully to pick up on leads and don’t be afraid to interject yourself into the conversation at the appropriate time. Show some uniqueness by creating your own business cards that lead to a website with your portfolio and resume.
5. HR is most efficient this time of year. They have just finished their busiest time of the year after recruiting and placing college graduates into entry-level positions and become free of that just after Thanksgiving. This is the prime time to get in the door for an interview because you will have their full attention. Keep up with your follow-up — even over the holidays — because you will stand out for doing so. However, don’t stalk them while they are away celebrating the holidays or on family vacations.
Will you be looking for work over the holidays? Why or why not?
Thanks for a great post, and a very good reminder that “taking a break” from your job search during the holiday season can be a mistake — for all the reasons you mention; also, other situations do occasionally crop up in which a hire has to be made quickly, before the end of the year, for budgetary reasons.
Even if there are slightly fewer posted jobs during the holidays, this is a great time to network (as you point out), and to take care of job-search activities that you might not have time for during the rest of the year. For instance, take some time to refine your web presence — update your blog, and complete your profiles on professional networking sites (such as Monster’s Facebook app, BeKnown).
Temporary holiday jobs are a great way to build your network, gain skills, and stay active — and yes, they can be great stepping stones to full-time positions. Hiring for these positions can happen a lot quicker than traditional hiring, so take a chance: put on your interview outfit, print some copies of your resume, and head to the mall (during weekday hours when they’re not likely to be too busy).