Messages In This Digest (1 Message)

1.: wisdom on job search during the holidays From: Terrence Seamon

View All Topics | Create New Topic

Message

1.: wisdom on job search during the holidays

Posted by: "Terrence Seamon" thseamon@yahoo.com thseamon

Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:32 am (PST)

Job Search During The Holidays

Job Search during the Holidays by Wayne Johnston

Based on my observations and experience, here is how I advise people
about networking and job search during the holidays. It is the BEST
time of year to get phone and face-to-face time with decision makers.
Staying focused and networking from Thanksgiving – year end will result
in interviews or offers during the holidays and/or in January.

A misnomer in the marketplace is that no one finds jobs during the
holidays. I've heard this a hundred times. It is not true and this is
why:
From a macro standpoint, the number of jobs in the USA is a constant
(even in today's difficult job market). The only thing that changes
over the holidays is the number of job seekers goes drastically down
due to the rumor that no one finds jobs during the holidays.
For example: In September, 1 million jobs and 1 million job seekers. In
December, 1 million jobs and 200,000 job seekers. You just increased
your odds at getting an interview 5 times.

In the corporate world, a few things happen during Thanksgiving through
New Years. Most companies are on a calendar year. Final budgets are
approved and projected headcounts are determined for the upcoming year
during Q4. "Smart" managers will spend that money ASAP. As a manager,
if you don't and the company misses projected earnings next quarter,
the CEO will remove/reduce your budget with one phone call. Managers
will use the holiday time to conduct interviews while the business is
in a slow-down holiday mode. Personally, I have extended many offers
during November/December with January 1st start dates.

For those companies with good financials and "bad" managers, they will
do last minute MASS hiring in December to make sure they hit their
personal goals and objectives for the year based on the plan built 12
months earlier. I experienced this first hand a few years ago when
Senior Management hired hundreds of people in the last week of December
to hit the "magic number".

People's attitude changes during the holiday season. They are more
incline to take a phone call, meet for lunch/coffee, etc. Take
advantage of the goodwill while you can.

Also, in the last few decades
a shift has been made in USA. It is not uncommon for someone to get
laid off due to M&A's, recession, technology change, etc. Today, it
is more common that the person you are trying to meet with would have
walked in your "lay-off" shoes at one time during their career and are
willing to meet with someone going through hard times.

From a socializing standpoint, you never know whom you are going to
meet at a work, family, and/or community holiday functions. Always be
aware and have friends/family do warm introductions. It's always nice
to have someone else tell your layoff story. VERY important to have
your 1 minute commercial ready. Also, common courtesy and politeness is
critical in an informal, non-business setting. I am certain no one will
offer job search assistance or be willing to help you if you drink wine
out of a bottle, eat an entire plate of cookies without sharing, start
a beer chug line, etc.

I would recommend always having a business card in your pocket. If your email address is sleepy@aol.com, ikillsmallanimals@ att.net, lordisking@yahoo. com,republicanblood@ gmail.com,
etc., you really need to change it. A professional email address is
critical. You don't want to brand yourself, burn a professional bridge,
and/or be rejected before a potential employer has a chance to meet you.

During networking meetings, you are NOT asking for a JOB but gathering
information, contacts and advice. Don't forget, you are a subject
matter expert in your field so everyone has something to offer people
they meet with. Also, every meeting ends with, "how can I help you?"

My personal metrics: Over the last 9 years, I have had twice as many
people in my network land during Jan/Feb than any other month. This is
directly attributed to the hard work they invested in networking and
job search during the last 2 months of the year.
Good luck with your search!

Wayne
Senior Director of Consulting Services - Career Concepts, Inc.
For Wayne's bio - http://www.cciconsu lting.com/ staffbio. aspx?userID= 91

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)