The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (for Job-Searching) - CareerEnlightenment.com

On the other hand, employers sometimes find themselves scrambling to fill long-term positions during the holiday season. Holiday bonuses are often just the security an employee needs to feel confident tendering their resignation. A December application has the potential to put you first in line to save the day for stressed HR departments.4) You Have Extra Excuses to NetworkHoliday parties and season’s greetings are two great ways to strengthen or expand your network during the month of December. Take advantage of company parties, community mixers and other seasonal get-togethers. While you shouldn’t go resume-in-hand, be ready with your contact information should opportunities arise.Don’t forget to send out those holiday cards or end-of-year updates. Not only are they a great way to keep in touch with old friends and former co-workers, they’re also a perfect opportunity to stay fresh in the minds of your existing network. Just refrain from being pushy or desperate. Keep it si mple and drop a brief line about job searching when remarking on your current endeavors, or make mention of your career goals in a list of hopes for the new year.5) You Can Save on Your New Year’s ResolutionsTaking a break â€" from anything â€" always makes it harder to jump back in. Staying focused and engaged in your job search throughout December means you’ll require less catching up come the new year. Not only will you remain on top of opportunities and trends, but you won’t have to make “start job searching” one of your New Year’s resolutions.So stop writing December off and start using the holiday season to your professional advantage. While it may be tempting to take a break from your search, the benefits of an off-season search are sure to outweigh any loss in downtime.Takeaway Tips:Strengthen Your Network: The holiday season is all about cherishing relationships with others (business and personal). Connect with some past colleagues or friends by recommending the m via LinkedIn. A thoughtful note highlighting their qualifications will not only strengthen your relationship, but might result in a returned recommendation to boost your profile.Give Back to the Community: Another way to utilize the holiday season is to give back to your community. Even if you’re unemployed and lacking funds, you can still help by delivering meals to needy families, visiting senior citizens, and volunteering your time at a local food shelter. Don’t forget to highlight these opportunities by tweeting about the amazing time you had or showing that you care, via LinkedIn.Extend Holiday Greetings: Many might believe that sending a holiday greeting to companies or hiring managers might be crossing the line. However, it’s similar to sending a thank you note after an interview. By sending a holiday card, you’re showing the company that you care, which will put you a step ahead of the other applicants.