Many job search candidates turn off their job search engines during the holidays and “coast” into the new year.  They stop networking and contacting employers.  They stop generating resumes.  Consider this…according to the U.S. Department of Labor, December, January and February are the three best hiring months.

Since networking is a process of building relationships, holiday networking is well timed to “plant the seeds of interest” in hiring managers.  The next few weeks will be an excellent time for you develop alliances and build relationships for the upcoming year.  Holiday time is also social event time.  Many class and family reunions are held.  There is no better time to meet, greet and present your “personal introduction.”

If, however, the networking possibilities aren’t incentive to maintain an active search campaign during the holidays, consider these 10 factors:

1.    Because many job seekers believe the myth that the holidays are slow hiring times, they don’t contact employers or send resumes.  Your résumé now gets greater attention, your visibility increases and you have less competition.

2.    A new fiscal and budget year begins for most companies in January.  By meeting with employers and forming relationships during December, you are in a prime position of consideration when the selection process begins.

3.    Business travel and corporate meetings taper off during December.  Recruiters and hiring managers are “home,” more accessible, have a greater tendency to answer their own phones, and are more willing to meet on an informal basis.

4.    Your persistence, fortitude and perseverance during December will impress hiring managers and recruiters.  You will be seen as a serious candidate.

5.    January is the most active month in employment hiring.  The seeds you plant in December could result in interviews and offers in January and February.

6.    And finally, back to networking.  Consider all the additional holiday events related to a spouse’s work and/or community activities, children’s school activities and religious congregation’s programs.  You will not see nearly the number of social events in January.

Enjoy the holidays.  Maintain a good balance between work search activities and family.  Take advantage of the relaxed mood, festive spirit, to put yourself in a favorable position for good things to happen in the upcoming year.

by Mike Brown, MBA Career Services Director