Once Thanksgiving comes and goes, many candidates get sluggish in their job search efforts because of the misconception that no one actually makes hiring decisions for non-seasonal work during the holiday period. During my first year in the staffing field back in the 1980's, many of my recruiting colleagues took advantage of relaxed December office hours to partake in holiday festivities. A few of us plugged along, maintained our daily routine and kept contacting employers. In late December, I scheduled a slate of candidates to interview for computer operations jobs leading to two people beginning new positions during the first week of the new year!
Another year, I had a client in need of hiring a contractor into a scientific research position. The ultimate decision maker was returning to the U.S. on December 24 and the hire was to go into effect December 26 pending his approval. My candidate sat down with the client around 5:00 PM on December 24 and began work two days later!
As I write this commentary on December 8, I am pleased to report that my third placement of the week begins today. One hire was the result of a rather detailed hiring process, another was confirmed on Thanksgiving Eve and the third was due to a very proactive candidate who quickly progressed through the hiring process this week.
The message here is that someone in need of work should never shift into low gear. There are definitely recruiters and hiring managers who keep working regardless of the date or season. Because some of your counterparts may slack off, your resume might get significantly more visibility. While there is certainly an argument to be made for enjoying the holiday season, there certainly will be more reasons to enjoy the season once you have landed a great job!
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