Many people believe that holiday season may not be the best time to look for jobs. The general assumption is that decision makers and hiring managers are busy spending holidays with their families, so checking emails and hiring might not be a priority. Also, assumptions are, many organizations have a temporary hiring freeze while they wait for a new fiscal budget. However,  you might be surprised to know that contrary to popular belief, holidays are in fact a great time for job searching.

Starting or continuing your job search during the holidays can feel like a pretty tough task with so many seasonal distractions. Agilus is here to help. Here are some helpful job-searching hints:

Spread Holiday Cheer

While networking may not directly feel like job search, it's a great strategy for job search success. Holidays are a natural time to reconnect with your contacts, especially those who are working in your chosen industry. According to a survey by Topresume, 60% of jobs are found through networking and not online. Networking is an important tool for job search and the holiday season provides you a perfect opportunity for it. It is an ideal time to establish new connections and expand your network. 

Reconnect with people in your network and convey holiday wishes to them, whilst gently letting them know that you are looking for a new role. Most people are feeling generous during this time of the year and may be keen to help out. If you are looking to network online,  consider sending out e-cards to your industry connections with a short note that you would like to connect over a coffee.

Also reconnect with your references. You may not need them today, but reaching out and letting them know you value their time and opinion demonstrates professionalism and genuine sincerity.

Did you meet fellow jobseekers who have landed a new role in the recent past? Use this holiday time to congratulate them and find out more about their job search success. 

Read more tips on how to find a job through networking. 

Take advantage of the season

Most jobseekers believe that hiring managers and key decision makers are on a break during the holiday season. While this may be true to an extent, in a diverse, multi-cultural country like Canada, many decision makers continue to work through the traditional holiday times (except on statutory off days). In fact, many companies post jobs in the second or third week of December, especially when they intend to hire early next year. With more time at hand during the holidays, hiring managers often have more time to review applications, build candidate pipelines for the new year or even shortlist candidates they are interested in interviewing after holidays. As a jobseeker, use this to your advantage.  

Stay ahead of the job search curve

Experts indicate that on an average 250 people apply to each job listing and only 25 percent of applicants make it past the employer's ATS. The competition for getting your resume to the hiring manager can seem daunting. However, during holidays a large number of jobseekers, especially those who are not actively looking for a job take a step back from job search. Some jobseekers also pause their job search due to holiday commitments or the general belief that "no one is hiring during holidays."

Depending on the industry or position, there could be fewer job applications in the resume pile for each advertised position. By applying to jobs during the holidays, you can get your resume noticed ahead of the competition. 

Consider temporary/short term jobs

Some organizations go through a slower period during the holiday season, but businesses operating in the retail and service sector are extremely busy this time of the year. They are looking to hire extra help for temporary seasonal positions. 

Although you may not be looking for a temporary or seasonal position, it might make sense to take up these seasonal roles and build your credibility as a potential hire. Many job seekers who stand out in temporary positions are able to convince managers to offer them a permanent role, by performing well in their job. Moreover, these temporary roles can help you add skills and experience to your resume. 

Here are some tips that can help you convert your seasonal role to a permanent position. 

Volunteer opportunities

Holidays are a great time to find and engage in volunteer opportunities. It is the time when many charities  and organizations are looking for people who would be eager to help them in the holiday season, when their regular staff are on break. It is also a season when charities boost their fundraising efforts and need more people to help with these initiatives. 

Volunteering during festive season is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and acumen. It not only helps you to keep your skills sharp, but also helps to add work experience to your resume. These types of opportunities can also help you to connect with the local community and build connections, helping your network to grow. For many jobseekers, volunteering can translate into long-term opportunities going forward.

Here's more on how volunteering can help your job search.

Schedule Time for Work and Play

It can be easy to slip from a regular schedule during the holiday times. Blame it on the festivities around or a general slowdown in the recruitment space, keeping up the momentum for a job search can be challenging. It is imperative to consciously focus on using this time to have a structure to your daily tasks. Perhaps create a list of to-do's each day and try to accomplish them as planned. 

Ideally you can establish a Holiday Job Search Schedule to plan and set key goals over the holiday week. Spending each day accomplishing one small goal can make you feel positive and keep you motivated. Scheduling downtime to rest and recharge is also a must. Plan a small reward every time you meet a goal, perhaps a trip to the Christmas market, indulging in a cheesy holiday movie or meeting up with a friend. Once the holiday season is over, remember to follow up on those holiday meetings and job applications, perhaps during the second week of January. Good luck and happy holidays!

Keep a go-getter mindset. Following the above tactics can help to stay on point and make progress. If you need more guidance on job search, explore our free resources.  Good luck & happy holidays to you!