Is There a Holiday Job Market?

We are often asked whether it’s worth the time to continue a job search during the holidays. It’s true that there are a lot of distractions at this time of year and many agencies are closed for the week between Christmas and New Years. However, there are lots of things you can do. In fact there are ways to take advantage of the season.

Here are a few things you can do to get your job search in shape and prepare for any changes in the New Year.

1. Dust off that resume. Is it up-to-date? Does it have links to samples or other on-line information? It is interesting to read and well designed?

2. Make a list of what’s important to you for your career for 2014. What new experiences do you need to round out your background? Management? Social media?

3. Use the down time to re-evaluate your search plans and strategies.  Do they match your goals and interests?

4. Connect or reconnect with trusted recruiters. Find out what they’re up to now and what they see happening in 2014. Let them know what you’ve accomplished in 2013.

5. Go to parties. Many professional associations and networking organizations have holiday events that are better attended than regular meetings. It’s an opportunity to try out your new plan to work a room.

6. Inspect your online presence. Is there anything there that shouldn’t be there? What is missing?

7. Call the people you weren’t able to connect with during the year – journalists, influencers, sources, authors, etc. Maybe they’ll have more time during these next weeks.

Chaloner

Chaloner, founded in 1979 as Chaloner Associates, is a national executive search firm that focuses on recruiting mid- to senior-level communications, public relations, marketing and investor relations professionals.