WHY ARE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS THE BEST TIME TO JOB HUNT?

Why are the Christmas holidays the best time to job hunt?

While the Christmas holidays are a great time to take a break and catch up with family and friends, those few days off work also allow you to reflect on your career.

Yes, it’s all a bit hectic running up to the big day, but if you’re off work until the New Year, that post-Christmas period is a great time to consider your career options.

Why do people look for new jobs?

There are generally three reasons why someone may consider looking for a new job. They may be unhappy in their current position, looking for a career change, or be out of work and need to find a job quickly.

The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to job hunt for all of these reasons.

Why should you job hunt at Christmas?

Firstly, if you’re unhappy in your current job, the Christmas break is a great time to job hunt because it allows you to enjoy your holiday while you job search, without the stress of being at work. Reading through job adverts and researching companies is difficult while you’re in the office, although it does help you to become an expert at Alt-Tab (Google it!)

Secondly, if you’re looking for a career change, the Christmas holidays are a great time to job hunt because it’s a time when many people are taking a break from work. This means that you can network with friends and family who may know of job opportunities, or you can put some work into LinkedIn. We all know that LinkedIn is a great social network for job hunting. However, everyone assumes that it’s a ghost town over Christmas with little activity, but it’s not the case. LinkedIn is still buzzing over Christmas, and people have more time to interact with their connections. So, if there’s a company you’ve always wanted to work for, why not use the time to connect with key decision-makers and sound them out about potential opportunities? Remember, the best job opportunity is the one that only you know about.

Lastly, if you’re out of work and need to find a job quickly, the Christmas holidays are a great time to job hunt because everyone else will assume there’s no point applying until the new year. So, if you’re looking for a job, Christmas is the perfect time to start your search. Most companies have paused their recruitment for the year, so there’s less competition for jobs. However, they will still have roles advertised, so get your application in so it’s sitting in their inbox as soon as they return from the break.

Top 3 tips for job searching

When it comes to job searching, there are a variety of strategies that job seekers can consider. While job seekers typically become discouraged with their job search because they couldn’t secure a job offer immediately, you should take the time to focus on the tips below so you can ultimately have greater success in finding employment.

1. Build a relationship with a recruiter who specialises in your niche

Recruiters are a great resource when job searching. By building a relationship with a recruiter who understands your industry, you open up the opportunity to learn about job openings that may not be advertised to the public. In addition, recruiters can help you improve your resume and provide job interview tips.

2. Be ready for the next opportunity

Job searching can be like trying to find something you’ve lost in your house. You usually find it when you’re not looking! Similarly, opportunities often arise when you least expect them, so it’s prudent always to be prepared with an updated CV or resume and brush up on your interview technique. It’s easy to forget your achievements, so make a point of refreshing your memory of your proudest moments to talk about in interviews.

3. Update your CV or resume regularly

In order to maximise job search success, you should consider taking the time to update your CV or resume regularly. By doing this, you can reflect on your job changes and other relevant information that may help you secure an interview.

The Christmas break is an ideal time to update your CV, as it allows you to reflect on your year and your aspirations for the following year.

Updating your CV or Resume

It is critical to have a fresh CV or resume when looking for employment. Here are three things to keep in mind while updating yours:

1. Skills and experience

Make sure to list your skills and experience. This will help employers see what you can bring to the job. For example, think about any training you’ve undertaken during the past year, projects you’ve managed or been involved with, new software you’ve used, or even new languages you can speak. Our skills and experience grow constantly, so it’s crucial to keep your CV or resume current.

2. Profile Section

This is often the most under-used part of a CV. Everyone thinks it should be written as a relatively cold and concise summary in a couple of lines. But it’s not the case as your profile is the one part of your CV where you can show some personality. Try adopting a conventional tone and addressing the reader directly. Using words like “you” and “your” helps to create a bond with the reader, and they are less likely to skip over this section.

3. Objectives or Career Goals

Include a statement that clearly outlines your job objective and career goals, keeping in mind your desired job title. If you’re not sure what your job objectives could be, then think about what factors will help improve your current job and any future job that you apply for. For example, suppose you are an accountant and want to move into a managerial role. In that case, your job objective statement might read, “To secure a position in a company that will allow me to utilise my accounting skills while developing my management skills.” Remember, recruiters and HR staff aren’t mind-readers, so be sure to express your desired job title clearly to avoid any ambiguity.

Summary

The Christmas break is a valuable time for reflecting on your year and what you’d like to achieve in the new year. Use this time to your advantage and prepare for success in January.