Job searching during the holidays can be a total drag when you’re in holiday mode. After all, you have gifts to buy, parties to attend, a tree to trim and cookies to bake! The last thing on your mind is applying for a job. However, the next thing you know, Christmas is over, midnight has come and gone on January 1st and your New Year’s resolution is to get a new job. Instead of your search taking the back seat this holiday season, set yourself up for success using the tips listed below from the Aquinas Recruiting team!
RESUME: Take time to build and target your resume to specific jobs that you would like to apply for in the New Year. Tailor your resume and have a few versions formatted and ready to go for jobs that might require specific information or career highlights in order to be considered for the position.
RECRUITERS: Connect with your Aquinas recruiter! Save the contact information of the recruiters who reach out to you during the year. Even if you aren’t looking in January, March or July, you might be looking at the end of the year. Start a relationship with the recruiters who contact you initially and connect with them to let them know of your job status. Even if they don’t have anything for you at the time, update them on your job search so you will be on their radar for when a job does come out that fits your background.
RECONNECT: Use the holidays as an excuse to reconnect with old colleagues and friends that you haven’t spoken to in a while. Reach out to them on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. It’s also a great time to make new contacts. Attend as many social events as you can, utilizing these parties as networking events to make new connections with people in your field of interest. Generally, people want to help, especially during the holiday season. Send a holiday card and then call or email the person to spark up conversation about your job search and the holiday season.
TALK ABOUT IT: People may not be aware of your job search. Use this to spark up conversation at Holiday events. Sometimes the connections leading to your next project management or engineering position happen in the places you least expect. You might meet your next boss at the punch bowl!
VOLUNTEER: Volunteer work is a great way to keep your mind and body at work, for a good cause. Everything you do can be added to your resume, expressed on interviews, and overall to speed up your job search. The greatest unsought reward from volunteer work is networking. When you are constantly around people who are doing noble actions as you are, it speaks for your character. Volunteering is a selfless way to introduce yourself to someone who may know of current job openings or can serve as a potential reference.
LINKEDIN: Update the information in your LinkedIn profile and make sure your picture is professional. Update your headline to “Currently seeking new opportunities” in the field you are looking in. Leverage your LI account to network with former managers, co-workers, and partners. Join as many applicable user groups as possible. For example if you’re a Java Developer, join the LinkedIn group for Java in your area. Pro-market yourself to hiring managers at companies where you’re interested in working.
FOCUS: Stay focused during the holidays, companies still hire during November and December even though may think everything is pushed off until the New Year. Do not procrastinate and wait for January. Stay ahead of the game and position yourself for success to get your applications in early even if the company you are targeting is not hiring until January.
