Bringing the hiring side's perspective to the Monster Blog, today's guest post comes from Matt Charney, a seasoned corporate recruiter. Matt has recently joined Monster as a social media engagement manager.
One winter, while recruiting for a Fortune 50 company, my staffing team received an internal communiqué telling us how to stay busy during the holidays. The top recommendation: Get ahead of next year's work by reaching out to prospective candidates now.
The message is essentially the same for job seekers: Don't take a holiday from your job search; keep at it. In today's fiercely competitive job market, the holiday season presents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate your drive and ingenuity.
With budgets and headcount approved, hiring managers and recruiters are gearing up for the deluge of jobs and candidates that typically comes immediately after the New Year. This is not to say there’s no hiring during the month of December; conversely, many firms and recruiters are racing the clock to fill all open positions by the end of the year.
To get a head start on new openings, be vigilant and don't succumb to perceived holiday lulls. In addition to searching for jobs, you can make the best use of your time by laying the groundwork with these activities:
What better excuse to reconnect with a past colleague or potential employer than to send
a “Season's Greetings” email or card? It can set the groundwork for deeper conversations in the coming year.
Reopen Closed Doors
Chances are you’ve had conversations with potential employers regarding opportunities that didn’t materialize. Send an email reminding your contacts of the position you interviewed for, who you met with and any feedback you received. (Recruiters are more likely to respond to direct emails than follow-up phone calls.) In many cases, recruiters won’t follow up with strong candidates, assuming they’re off the market. If you’re still looking, interested and proactive, let them know.
Research Potential Employers and Reach Out
Identify and research a few firms you think would be a good fit for you. Target broadly -- that Fortune 500 conglomerate, for instance, might not be as good a match as that unknown local start-up. Impress hiring managers by doing your homework. Read up on the company’s SEC filings, 3rd-party news stories or customer reviews to understand the firms' financials, industry and structure.
Expand Your Options
Take a step back and assess your skills and interests. Beyond what you have already done and what you could do, what do you want to do?
Many experienced candidates feel that with a proven track record and focus, this question is best consigned to entry-level job seekers or those exploring career changes. From the hiring perspective, anyone looking for a new opportunity is making a career change.
Take Some Time for Yourself
Looking for a new job can be draining; in fact, it may be the hardest job you’ll ever have. While it’s unwise to stop searching for a job during the holidays, it’s just as important to take some time off. With the work you’ve put into your job search, you deserve it.
Take advantage of holiday downtime by exploring Monster's 12 Days of Job Search on Facebook. From December 7th to the 22nd, we'll feature daily articles, tips and advice on keeping your job search active now and into 2010.
