Four Ways to Step Up Your Search During the Holiday Season

Four Ways to Step Up Your Search During the Holiday Season
When I counsel clients on their job search during the
holiday season, they often tell me that they plan to put
their search on hold because they think that everyone is
out of town and no one is hiring during this season.

Actually, December can be a great time to step up your
search campaign because so many applicants believe this
misperception of the market. When people drop out of the
job market during the holiday season, there's an
opportunity for you to accelerate your search in a climate
with decreased competition. Below are four ways to increase
your visibility in 2007 to prepare for a more robust search
in 2008.

Informational Interviews

Savvy job seekers know that the more visible they are, the
greater the chances of meeting the person that can connect
them with a viable job opportunity. This concept may be
even more important when you are searching during the
holiday season. Some job seekers make the mistake of taking
a break from their search during December because they
assume that no one is in the hiring mode. The reality is
that holiday networking may be more productive than
networking during other times of the year. Decision makers'
schedules are not as tight and they may be more generous
with their time. By establishing relationships with the key
players now, you are more likely to be remembered when the
hiring picks up.

Family and Community Parties

Families and friends tend to make more of an effort to get
together during the holiday season. Family and community
gatherings are excellent opportunities to reconnect with
old friends and hook up with new contacts. Schools,
religious groups, health clubs, and support groups are just
of few of the communities where holiday activities may be
taking place. There is always a chance to share information
relevant to these communities as well as information
relevant to your personal and professional life at these
events.

Business Functions

Most companies and professional associations host a holiday
party in December. By attending a spouse's company party or
an event hosted by a professional organization, you can
build powerful business connections in a relaxed and
festive environment.

Holiday Cards

Holiday cards provide a natural "touch point" or
opportunity to reconnect with friends, family, and
colleagues. Reach out to your network now with some "best
wishes" and holiday cheer and you will have a natural
entrée into a job-related conversation in the New Year.

By establishing relationships during the holiday season,
you increase the likelihood of making inroads with decision
makers who may be hiring in the New Year. Hiring managers
may be more accessible, more relaxed, and in a better frame
of mind during the winter holiday season. Create a
networking plan now to take advantage of the unique
networking opportunities available during the month of
December.

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Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers,
(http://www.careersolvers.com ) has over 12 years of
experience in career management, recruiting, executive
coaching, and organizational development. Ms. Safani
partners with both Fortune 100 companies and individuals to
deliver targeted programs focusing on resume development,
job search strategies, networking, interviewing, and salary
negotiation skills.