Too many job seekers put their job searches on hold at this time of year, and that's a shame. December is a great time to job hunt!
Here are ten reasons why.
1. Budgets
Hiring is based on budgets. Budgets are approved for a given fiscal year. December 31 is the most common fiscal year-end. Job opening budgeted for 2017 but unfilled may not be approved again for 2018. Managers have an incentive to fill their job openings before 12/31/17!
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2. Next year's plans
Managers are getting final approval on their 2018 plans right now. Reality will soon set in. How will they hit their aggressive goals without brilliant people like you on board? Now is the perfect time to reach out to hiring decision-makers directly. You don't have to wait for your Target Employers to post relevant job ads!
3. Holiday networking
Holiday networking has already begun. Every metro area has a full calendar of networking events where job-seekers can meet new people and reconnect with old friends. Before you hit the networking circuit, pick up some consulting business cards — here's how!
4. Many job-seekers drop out before the holidays
Many people who job-hunted during the summer and early fall put the job search on hold at this time of year. Don't do it! Keep your job search engine running.
5. Consulting projects are keyholes to full-time jobs
Once you have your consulting business cards you can start networking not as a needy job-seeker but as a consultant ready to take on projects. There is always a demand for extra hands on deck as the fiscal year comes to a close. Your part-time consulting gig could become your next full-time job!
6. Work out the kinks in your branding
If your job search is just getting started, you can use December to work out any kinks in your branding. You want to make sure that your LinkedIn profile and resume are branding you effectively for the jobs you especially want — not every job you are qualified for.
7. Start conversations now for 2018 opportunities
You can begin reaching out to hiring managers yourself right now and start conversations that will bear fruit when those managers get to January 1, 2018 and start interviewing for approved 2018 job openings.
8. Recruiters have sales targets, too
Recruiters have sales quotas just like anybody else in a sales position. They have an incentive beyond their commission to fill job openings for their clients before the end of the year.
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9. Perfect opportunity to circle back
If you've been job-hunting for a while and you've had some fruitful conversations with recruiters or hiring managers but didn't end up with a job offer, now is the perfect time to circle back and touch base with them.
Send a quick email or LinkedIn message that says "Hi John, just wanted to touch base before the new year, since you and I had some great conversations over the past few months. I'm curious to hear what's new with you and your team" (in the case of a hiring manager) or "...to hear what's new with you and your clients" in the case of a recruiter.
Hiring managers and recruiters are overwhelmed. They can easily forget you. Remind them who you are, and why they liked you so much the last time you spoke.
10. Your manager's performance review
Hiring managers have performance goals to hit, and some of those goals have to do with filling job openings.
Managers have an incentive to schedule interviews and make offers even when they don't have the bandwidth to dive into training a new employee. They have to have some accomplishments to show when their performance review rolls around!
Take a holiday break if you like, but don't assume that you can't get a new job in December.
Keep putting irons in the fire right up until the minute you accept a new position. Don't let these fertile last weeks of the year go to waste!
