Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
The holiday season may be the happiest time of the year, but for many people, it’s also very busy.
If you happen to be looking for a job during the holidays, you might think that the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the perfect time to take a break from your job search.
But in reality, it may be the opposite.
For a variety of reasons, this may be an opportune time to consolidate your job search efforts. Here are some good reasons to consider looking for a job during the holidays.
Companies Are Hiring
It may seem like businesses are focused on things other than hiring at the moment, but take a quick look at our latest posts, and you’ll see that’s not the case.
In fact, many companies are very active in the job market during the holidays, as they look to fill open positions to start the new year in full force.
With most year-end budgets closed and next year’s budgets in place, most companies know exactly how much they can afford to hire new people, and they know where to fill last year’s vacancies.
There is Less Competition
If others with your skills and training decide to pause their job search during the holidays, that could pave the way for you.
With a few competitive resumes, yours will easily rise to the top.
You have a lot of free time
If you’re like most people, you enjoy taking extra PTO during the holidays.
And while you’ll be spending some time relaxing with family, you can also make your days more productive by setting aside blocks of time to look for jobs.
While it may not seem like the happiest way to spend your holidays, a brand new job will be a great holiday gift for yourself!
How to Find Jobs During the Holidays
Now that you know why it’s important to keep searching for a job during the holidays, you can find the perfect holiday job search plan — here are some tips!
1. Connect with Your Network
Even people who don’t like the job search aspect are sure to trade holiday wishes this season – whether it’s through virtual holiday parties, social media, or just plain old phone calls.
Don’t focus on your holiday search while enjoying connecting with your network, but also don’t be afraid to talk about your situation with friends, acquaintances, and industry colleagues.
You might just make a connection with someone who can help you land your dream job in the new year.
2. Keep the Momentum Going
You’ve probably developed effective job search practices over the past few months, and it’s wise to keep moving.
If you slow down or stop your job search, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things when you’re ready to step up again.
By pushing ahead with your job search during the holidays, you’ll keep your momentum going and you won’t miss a beat in January.
3. Consider a Seasonal Job
If you’re looking for a job but can’t find anything long-term, look for a temporary gig at a company you’re interested in, and it can give you an upper hand in finding a permanent position there.
While some companies that hire for seasonal and holiday jobs only need temporary help, many decide to hire their seasonal workers permanently when the holidays are over.
Use your time wisely if you decide to take a break
Looking for a job during the holidays won’t be for everyone.
Maybe you’re just too busy, want to prioritize quality time with family, or don’t really need to get a job right now.
Either way, if you want to take a break from job hunting, you can still spend time in other areas of your search to give yourself the best chance of getting it back when you’re ready.
Organize
You probably have copies of your cover letters saved everywhere with dates and reminders in notebooks. Consider using the holidays to fix these things.
Having an organized job search can help you keep track of everything and avoid any mistakes – like accidentally following the same employer twice in the same week.
Spreadsheets can be your saving grace, allowing you to keep track of every job you’ve applied for, any communications or conversations you’ve had, and required contact information.
Try organizing your computer documents into folders as well for easy review and emailing.
Revise Your Resume and Cover Letters
Speaking of documents, instead of looking for jobs, now is a good time to update your resume and cover letters.
Do you have new jobs or skills to add to your resume? Have you ever wanted to redo a part of your cover letter?
Now is the time to get in there and fix everything to perfection.
Redesign Your Personal Brand
Do you have a personal style? Otherwise known as your professional image or your reputation, having a cohesive personal brand during the job search will help position you as a superior.
If your expertise is in nonprofit marketing, how do your social media profiles and your CV and cover letter convey this?
Are you on social media collaborating with other marketers and sharing articles related to your industry? Do you have a personal website that describes your passion and work?
Get this information sorted and create a tailored resume that will help speed up your job search in the new year.
Volunteer to Build Key Skills
It’s payback time! Volunteer opportunities abound during the holiday season as organizations in all sectors need people to help.
And while it’s better to give than to receive, you’ll be able to include your volunteer work on your resume, which is a huge bonus when your volunteer work gives you valuable skills and knowledge.
Once you’re back on the job search, you’ll have an improved resume that will help you land a job.
Give Yourself the Gift of a New Job
What better gift can you give yourself and your family than a new job in the new year?
Keeping up with your job search during the holidays may bring you all the holiday cheer you need!
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