Don't Stop Your Job Search Over the Holidays, Says CareerCast.com
CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Job seekers often suspend their job searches during the holidays, on the mistaken assumption that companies don't interview or hire during this period. However, the holiday season - from mid-November through New Year's Day - actually is the perfect time to network your way to a new job, reports CareerCast.com, a national job-search portal.
"Many organizations will interview candidates at the end of the year for positions that will start at the beginning of 2011," says Tony Lee, CareerCast.com publisher. "Job seekers who ramp up their search during the holidays gain a significant advantage over their counterparts who take time off, since the holidays offer reduced competition, more opportunities to network and easier access to decision makers."
Here are tips from CareerCast.com to enhance your holiday job search:
- Let everyone you meet at holiday events – family, friends, former co-workers and acquaintances – know that you are on the lookout for a new job. Many job leads come from word of mouth.
- Attend as many events as you can reasonably fit into your calendar and remain upbeat about. Remember, you need to use these events to make a good impression.
- Create a personal elevator pitch about you and the type of job you seek so you're prepared if anyone asks you what you're looking for.
- Send holiday cards with your business card enclosed to hiring managers, recruiters, potential employers and key friends with connections. Ask for their guidance during this holiday season.
- Re-connect. The holidays are a great excuse to get back in touch with former bosses and co-workers, college roommates and high school buddies who may be able to help you in your job search.
- Use social networks to reinforce and expand your reach. Use LinkedIn to see if you have any connections at your target companies. Use Facebook and/or Twitter to get the word out about your job search. However, if you're currently employed, err on the side of caution to keep your current job intact.
- Stick to a schedule so you have daily action items you can accomplish during the holiday season to keep your job search on track.
To read the full report and get more information on holiday job hunting, visit www.careercast.com/jobs/content/job-search-success-during-holidays
SOURCE CareerCast.com
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