Does Anyone Hire During The Holidays?
by Pauline Fournier
In each edition of our Insights newsletter, Senior Career Consultant, Pauline Fournier responds to career questions that have recently come her way from people with whom she is working. In a recent edition, Pauline shared some important tips on job searching during the holiday season.
QUESTION: Does anyone hire during the holidays?
ANSWER:
Having turned another page on the calendar, I’m reminded of a question I’ve been asked for the past 14 years around this time: does anyone hire during the holiday season?
The answer is a resounding yes! Yes, employers hire throughout the year – and the holiday season is no exception. Yes, keep looking for your next role during the holiday season. Yes, it is a great time to network and let people know what you are looking for and how they can help you. I know first-hand because I was offered my first role in outplacement on December 23rd. Yes, during the holiday season.
Many companies are reviewing budgets for the following year. Leaders are deciding where they want or need to spend money to meet goals. They are creating hiring plans. Many hiring leaders want to have the right people in the right roles to start the year. To do that, they are posting positions and interviewing during the holiday season.
As a hiring leader, I was once told at the beginning of December that I had to hire someone before the end of the year, or we would lose that seat. We scurried to get a job posting out, screened candidates, and made an offer before the end of the year. The process was a lot quicker with that type of deadline. It could happen to you too!
There are advantages to job seekers who don’t stop looking during the holiday season, including less competition. Other job seekers may stop looking because they believe nobody hires during the holiday season. Sometimes the hiring process can be quicker, especially if they need an employee to fill the seat before the year ends. You can still negotiate for a January start date.
The holiday season is also a good time to rekindle friendships or relationships with former colleagues. There is a built-in reason to reach out. Wishing someone a happy holiday season and asking for a quick call or a coffee meeting is a great way to network and ask for help. Some people have more time to meet as some businesses slow down or even shut down at the end of the year.
For many years, I have kept track of the number of candidates I coached who landed jobs in November and December. I continue to be amazed by those numbers. I was surprised to get an offer in December myself and more surprised the following year to see the number of people who received job offers. I strongly advise candidates not to stop looking at this time of year. I can’t promise you’ll land a job during the holiday season, but I can guarantee that if you stop looking, you won’t!
Happy Holidays!
