HRMC CareerLaunch

The fiscal year for many companies begin in January, and if their new employment budget allows for new hires, they may have already begun their search for candidates!  And if that doesn’t inspire your holiday job search activity, remember:  recruiters are ALWAYS actively seeking great candidates.  Too idealistic?  Then consider the holidays your opportunity to stand out from the crowd by applying a few tips:

Party Time - Parties are ideal for schmoozing with family, friends, and business acquaintances.  You never know who will produce your next job lead.  Attend as many events as you can reasonably fit into your calendar.  Make it a point to listen more than talk, work the entire room, and don’t forget to have your business cards ready to share!

NO Grinchiness! - Exude confidence with a positive attitude and demeanor everywhere you are seen, heard, or read!  Get excited about the opportunities ahead of you and get into the holiday spirit.  That excitement will rub off on the people around you and make you stand out among the desperate masses.

Holiday Cards - A basic “Happy Holidays” or “Happy New Year” card is a nice reminder that you are still in the job hunt.  An upbeat personal note, along with your business card, is a great way to keep YOU in the front of their mind.  If you prefer a more eco-friendly approach, consider sending a short inspirational message as a “holiday greeting” to your entire network.  Don’t send the emails en masse, but consider a quick personal note for each!

Virtual Profile - Update your LinkedIn profile and build upon the contacts you currently have.  This is a great time to connect with long-lost friends and acquaintances and wish them a happy and successful New Year.  Remember, every time you add a contact/update to your profile, your LinkedIn connections get an update about YOU!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - If your holiday travels include destinations that are potential job targets, plan ahead by notifying potential employers and letting them know you’ll be in town.  The “out-of-towner” has the psychological advantage over someone locally since their time is limited and people will be more accommodating.  Not traveling?  Don’t exclude local employers, because you may enjoy easier access to decision makers who are actually in the office, since holiday vacations have yet to kick in.

Quiet Days - If your networking activities slim down during the holidays, take a step back and revisit all aspects of your transition (resume, LI profile, portfolio, target company lists and activities, automated job searches, overall search process goals and metrics).  Ask yourself, Am I set up to hit the ground running in the new year?

Relax and Enjoy - During this time of year, it's also important to take some time for you and your family.  Do relax a little and don't forget to enjoy the holiday season--that's important for all of us, whether we are job seeking or not!

Happy Holidays to all!