It’s a myth that employers bring job hiring to a screeching halt, solely because the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays are approaching.
Sadly, job seekers who are desperate for jobs, but believe the myth, stop job searching as the holiday season approaches, a time when they typically need money the most.
It’s true that job hiring often slows or virtually stops at many companies in the days immediately surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day; but, that’s just as often because so many key workers, including those involved in the hiring process, take vacation over those holidays.
Outside of that, you can bet that if employers need workers to keep their bottom lines intact, then they won’t slow or stop hiring just because the holiday season is approaching.
In reality, December is often a good time to job search. That’s partly because hiring managers who have budgeted for, but have not finished annual hiring, scramble to hire in December, to get the same or more money in their budgets for the new year. (In the corporate environment, it’s “use it or lose it” regarding a budget.)
Meanwhile, hiring managers who have approved budgets in hand for the new year are often anxious to choose new employees in December, so that their departments are fully staffed at the start of business in the new year. Additionally, it’s not unusual for employees to quit their jobs November-December to spend more time with their families over the holidays, leaving their positions open for management to fill ASAP.
Some employers actually increase job hiring around the holiday season, to handle the extra business that the season typically brings. This year, however, after the numbers are tallied, the increase in holiday hiring is likely to have been smaller than in previous years, because of the current economic conditions.
Retailers, for example, have anticipated that consumers will again hold back on holiday spending this year and so, they’ve planned to hire fewer temporary employees to work the holiday season. Still, retailers will increase hiring as needed to cover the holidays and, of course, won’t stop hiring permanent employees solely because the holidays are approaching.
If you desperately need a job, then don’t give up your job search just because you’ve “heard” that employers bring hiring to a screeching halt when the holiday season is approaching; it’s simply not true. Ignoring the myth might even increase your chances, if your direct competitors stopped job searching November-December because they believed the myth.
Employers might be slower to respond to your job applications or resume submissions because of vacationing key employees, such as hiring managers, interviewers and HR personnel; but, they will eventually get back to you if they’re interested in your qualifications.
Job searching is taking longer, not because of the approaching holiday season, but because economic conditions continue to drive layoffs and a rising unemployment rate. Still, don’t give up your job search; instead, try to beat your stiffening competition by making sure that your resume shines and then by preparing well for interviews. Good luck!
