Job Seeker Blog - Spark Hire

How To Job Search During the Holidays

The holiday season can be chaotic, from shopping crowded malls for the perfect gifts to holiday parties to making the long trek home to visit friends and family. And on top of all that, you may be searching for a new job.

The holiday season job search is tricky. You’re more inclined to put the whole process on hold in order to meet the demands of your current co-workers, friends and family. However, the best job search strategy for the holidays is to meet the challenge head-on. Here’s why:

What It Says About You

Getting your job application in during the holiday season and break says a lot about you. It tells recruiters and team managers that you’re hard-working, motivated and ready for a new opportunity. Undergoing a holiday job search also says that you’re not easily distracted and willing to push things off until it’s more convenient.

Chances are, you won’t be attending any interviews during the holiday season, but it’s important to get your resume in and begin the process now. The holiday break is also a good time to network. Most professionals are taking a large chunk of time off. Touch base with these individuals, and ask them out for a casual conversation over coffee.

How It Looks Against the Competition

Most other job applicants will be inclined to wait until after the holidays to begin their job search. This puts you ahead of the game. Your resume will be the first that recruiters and team managers see upon their return to work.

Obviously, this sets you apart from the competition for the above reasons. You didn’t procrastinate, you stayed busy during a time when most take a break and you’re ready and willing for a new opportunity.

Where It Will Take Your Job Search

As you can guess, the holiday job search will ensure you’re the first resume and interview that recruiters and team managers will see and undergo. It may mean a longer wait time for you to hear back, but starting the process at this time could mean you’re in your new position just after the New Year.

If you have exceptional interview skills and meet all of the qualifications for the job, it may eliminate the need to even see other candidates. As you can see, completing the holiday job search has its benefits. Not only does it say a lot about you as a job candidate, but it can actually increase your chances of landing the job if you are the ideal choice. Happy holiday job searching!

How else can you meet the demands of the holiday job search during this busy time? Share now in our comments!

Kathryn Randolph

Kathryn is a freelance writer currently living in Chicago, Illinois. She holds a B.A. in English Writing from DePauw University and has five years experience writing for major job search and higher education websites. When she's not writing for the web, Kathryn is hanging out with her new baby girl, traveling, cooking, reading and running. She believes that the perfect job is out there for everyone and hopes to help Spark Hire job seekers discover their career passion and pursue it.

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