Maximize the impact of your year-end job searching

Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, I am thinking about a question I’m frequently asked this time of year. Many readers want to know if they should suspend their job searches until mid-January because, as we all know, lots of typical business processes slow down during this time of year. My answer is always the same, and it’s a resounding, “No!” The end of the year can be one of the best times to look for a new role, and here’s why:

Significant hiring and the extension of offers happen in December. Like other business processes that are in a time crunch and need to be completed by December 31, filling open requisitions can also be one of them. The longer the requisition remains unfilled, the higher the risk that it will be closed. When that happens, the hiring manager needs to go back to her leadership and present the case for the position all over again and explain why there was a protracted delay in recruiting. No one wants to do that.

You’re top talent, and you’re not going to wait around. By far, the biggest complaint that employers have about filling roles is the lack of qualified candidates. If you are actively seeking new opportunities, the hiring manager will know that he can’t afford to drag his feet. 

There’s less competition. Conventional wisdom says to hit pause on your search until the second week of January. By ignoring that piece of advice, you will stand a better chance of connecting with employers. 

There are a ton of networking opportunities. In non-pandemic times, the holiday season brings endless possibilities to meet with your peers. Parties, cocktail receptions, and luncheons abound (Well, usually. We all know the struggles 2020 has wrought; we’ve also all seen the memes). This year, all of that is mostly online but is still a valuable investment of your time. 

You’ll be ready to go when the second week of January hits. Job seeking takes time and patience. Invest effort between now and the New Year, and you will be ahead of the pack when most people return from their holiday vacations. The rest of the job seekers will be starting (or restarting) from ground zero. 

Remember to leverage your network as you seek out your new role. As mentioned, this time of year provides ample opportunity for connecting with your peers. In addition, employers want to be ready to go and have their resources lined up to hit the ground running after the New Year, which means that November and December can be some of the best times to be looking for a new role.