Makeda Waterman 3m 707
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Hunting For A Job In December
It is the end of the year, and the idea of Christmas, delicious cooked meals, and opening presents is on your mind. One of the last priorities in December is searching for a job. After all, you worked hard all year and needed a break.
We highly encourage you to take a few moments of your time to search job search engines for work because the misconception that there is a lack of opportunity now is a false statement. The truth is, the job market in 2018 is expected to be a year that millennials and Generation Z workers can take advantage of some of the perks the older generation experience. In addition, job search expenses can be invoiced to your accountant as a tax deductible.
Now is the right time to start thinking about where you want to see yourself in your career next year before applying for opportunities next month.
More Opportunities, Less Job Seekers
As most of the workforce is focusing on where to buy their next Christmas gift, you have the advantage to be on the shortlist for an interview with fewer people searching for work. Before you decide to start applying, think about all the career achievements you accomplished this year. You will need to update your resume with how you positively contributed to the organization with statistics, percentages or information that creates a visual in a human resources professionals mind.
The Reality of December Job Vacancies
According to the CBC News, “Canada added more than 50,000 jobs in December (2016), bringing the total for 2016 to 214,000.” It means you have a higher chance of finding work this month despite the misconception of a lack of work in December.
An uncomfortable experience in December for human resources is an increase of employees that leave the company once the year-end bonuses are received for hard work. It leaves an organization with an urgency to find new employees because the workload needs to continue to be completed despite the reality of employee turnover. At this time, human resources are in the office finishing interviews with potential applicants.
Treat Christmas Parties as Way to Network
Let’s face it. The experience at a Christmas party is often met with a chance to speak with the CEO of a company, a human resources rep or a person that can help you land a new job opportunity. People are friendlier at this time of the year. If you spark a conversation with a critical player in the room, exchange business cards and follow up with a phone call or email after the holidays. A few helpful December networking tips to consider is remembering your elevator pitch when someone asks what you do for work. Remember to smile with a positive attitude and dress the job position you desire.
A Christmas party is not only a place to network with people, but management also pays attention to how employees act in a casual setting, and it provides an opportunity for them to approach potential candidates for upcoming positions. You can attend with your spouse, family or friends, but remember to branch off on your own to spark interesting conversations with other people.
Human Resources Will be Impressed
The fact you are applying for jobs in December will portray the character of a determined person that is focused on improving their career. The time spent in updating your resume, driving in the snow to meet recruiters or spending hours online sifting through job applications can be used having fun. An HR recruiter will notice it, and it might be a self-reflection that you will add value to the organization despite the time of the year.
Final Thoughts
You hold the destiny of your future. In a tight economy, opportunities may not be available online, but you can use social media and networking events to further your career. The act of searching for work does not have to preoccupy most of your time. If you dedicated at least one to two hours in December, your chances of being invited for an interview in the New Year is higher than a candidate that waits until January. You will have peace of mind that your hard work will pay off.
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