Why You Shouldn't Give Up Your Job Search Over the Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, people often worry about their employment prospects. On top of wondering whether or not they'll find a job, they have concerns about having enough money for gifts, bills, and travel expenses. You don't need to despair and you certainly shouldn't give up the job hunt. Find out why you should push through and still look for work over the holidays.

Reasons Why Job Hunting is Worthwhile During the Holidays

Wondering why you should spend the holidays sending out your resume? Here are a few reasons you should consider applying for work as the holiday season arrives:

New Year Roles are Available

Many companies opt to hire new employees on January 1st. They plan ahead and use funds from the previous year to onboard new employees, or they come up with new roles and business plans. In an effort to prepare for the new year, companies start advertising their job listings early on.

If you don't want to start work right away but want the security of a job offer, this type of job listing could be ideal for you. You can relax during the holidays and start off the new year with a new job.

Less Competition

Over the holidays, people tend to stop looking for work. Everyone has their own reasons, from laziness to frustration. Whatever your reasons may be, put them aside. Because fewer people are looking for work during the holiday season, you have less competition.

When you combine more job listings with less competition, you get the perfect recipe for a job offer. You don't need to worry about beating out hundreds of highly qualified applicants for a job. Instead, you can be confident and show the employer what makes you the right fit for the position. Once the holidays are over, you can guarantee that there'll be more competition.

More Motivation

At times, it can be difficult to find the motivation to keep up with the job hunt. This is particularly true when you have encountered failure after failure. But the holiday season comes with the perfect motivation- your financial needs.

Whether you need to buy presents or want to take a long trip to see family, you probably could use some extra cash. You may not even have a choice to get a job, because holiday bills can add up quickly. To avoid debt, you need a job soon.

Better Pay

As an added incentive to find work over the holidays, you should remind yourself that businesses are often more open to negotiating salary at the start of the new year. If you get a job offer, you have a better chance of negotiating a higher salary.

This is because the start of the fiscal year comes in January. Since they haven't had any time to go over budget, companies are more willing to be flexible with their pay. You could get a job with a higher salary.

An Abundance of Temporary Roles

During the winter, there are many temporary jobs available. People often hesitate to apply for these jobs because they would prefer a permanent position. However, temporary roles can open the door to full-time roles. If you have a large unemployment gap or just need some quick cash, a temporary role could be perfect.

Although most temporary holiday positions are in the retail sector, there are other sectors that hire to prepare for the holidays. Expand your search to temporary roles and you could get hired sooner than you think.

Tips for the Holiday Search

If you want to make the most of your job search over the holiday season, there are several things you should do. First and foremost, pay close attention to job listings. There could be nothing that interests you one day, but ten listings the next day. During the holiday season, job listings are constantly updated. You need to check your favorite job platforms frequently.

Networking

Around the holidays, there are many events. You can take advantage of some of these events by expanding your network. Attend industry events and parties, and be a social butterfly. Even if you're a quiet person, try to be proactive and make friends.

You can also join in on virtual networking opportunities. If you haven't already reached out to old colleagues, use the holidays as an excuse to get back in touch with your former coworkers and classmates. After some discussion, you can bring up the fact that you're looking for a job. Networking is one of the easiest ways to find new employment opportunities.

Before you start networking, work on your pitch. Make business cards and hand them out. The more professional you seem, the better your chances will be.

Have the Right Mindset

When it comes to finding work, your mindset is half the battle. Go into the job hunt with a positive outlook. Sure, you may have had many recent setbacks. But you don't need to let that get you down. Keep reminding yourself of your talents and skills. If you find it hard to be positive about yourself, find a friend or family member who can cheer you up. A good support system can be everything.

When you go in for interviews, be confident in yourself. Don't allow negativity to keep you from smiling or having good posture. Hiring managers pay attention to the little details, so be mindful of your body language.

Be Focused

You can still enjoy the holidays and focus on your job search. If you find the right balance, you don't need to give up either. For the best results, create a schedule. Make sure you spend several hours every week looking for jobs and track your progress.

If you're familiar with spreadsheets, create your own job hunt spreadsheet. Keep track of which jobs you apply for and write down follow-up deadlines and interview dates.

Good Luck and Happy Holidays

It's time to move forward with your job search! As time ticks away, more and more jobs are becoming available. Begin your job hunt and don't give up.