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Is it Worth it to Job Search During the Holidays?

Q:   Dear Seymour, I am tired of job searching and I deserve a break. Is it worth it to keep looking during the holidays?

- Submitted by Bryce Collins, Conyers, Georgia

A: Dear Bryce,

It is certainly tempting to just forget about job searching during the holidays. You've been working hard all year--why not take a few weeks off with everyone else and forget about it for a little while? In fact, many job seekers believe the holidays are scant with open job requisitions. However, it may just be your time to stand out while others are sipping on eggnog.

Everyone else is taking time off, so it's time to search extra hard.
If you feel like taking time off, so does everyone else! That's why it's a great idea to search now more than ever. Find what no one else is looking for and apply while there are fewer people on the hunt. While everyone else is napping the winter away, be the early bird who is ready with a polished resume and cover letter and available at a moment's notice for a networking meeting or interview.

Take advantage of a more relaxed business environment.
Many businesses slow down during the holidays, which means, hiring managers are likely to have more time to meet with you and network. They're also more likely in a festive, giving spirit as meetings slow down and the pace of things becomes more manageable. Touch base with your networking contacts and set up meetings and interviews.

Celebrate (and network).
Celebrations abound during this time and you have more networking events to attend than ever. You can even host some yourself. Remember that every person you know and meet is a potential networking contact. Even volunteering your time to charitable organizations is a great way to meet people and find out about new opportunities.

December often means movement.
Many people decided to switch jobs or retire around the end of the year. This means lots of new openings become available that most companies want to fill before the New Year when budgets are set and everyone is expected to hit the New Year running.

You should take some time for yourself to enjoy the holidays, but don't give up your job search. This is an excellent time to look and you don't want a perfect opportunity to pass you by.

Seymour