10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays Jobless

There is less competition for jobs in December. Fact. Competition for positions is greatly reduced because of the prevailing belief that employers don’t hire in December. Most of your competitors will not be looking for a job this month but look out in January!

There are only a few positions open in December. Fiction. For most companies, next year’s budget is already approved. Hiring managers either want to start the year with full staff or have requisitions for positions that begin immediately after the New Year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys show no pattern of a drop-off in permanent hires at year-end. In fact, most companies have the same number of openings at year-end as they do the rest of the year but they have fewer candidates. There may also be pressure to exhaust this year’s hiring budget.

January is the strongest hiring month of the year. Fact. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, January is the strongest hiring month of the year. Remember, it’s the legwork done in November and December that puts job seekers in a better position to snag the first-of-the-year positions.

Hiring managers are too busy during the holidays to do interviews. Fiction. Fewer business trips and daylong meetings take place in December making it easier to reach decision makers.

December is a good month to take time off from a job search. Fiction. The prevailing concept is that companies don’t hire during the holidays. Fact: they do!! Taking yourself out of the game shrinks the pool of candidates and gives someone else the edge.

Traveling during the holidays stops a job search. Fiction. Okay, it’s a trick question. If you are already interviewing with a prospective employer, taking a trip is a great reason to call the hiring manager with your contact information. Another possibility is that your travels may take you to one of your target locations. How about calling potential employers ahead of time to set up visits?

Taking a temporary holiday job is a bad idea. Fact & Fiction. Taking a temp job to fill the dwindling coffers could be necessary. Selecting that job is important. Many retail jobs will end after the rush and you’ve taken yourself off of the market at a critical time. Temp jobs with companies that are on your hit list or if the work closely matches your preferences and skills could be a great idea. Companies are hiring “temp to perm” more often these days.

Jim Edwards of IL 12:41PM December 09, 2009