Taking a little time off never hurt anyone. But while many people use the holidays as an opportunity to relax and recharge, it also has become a sneaky-good time to start looking for a new job.
Elizabeth Wallencheck, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School director of alumni career management, and Kris Hergert (MBA ’09), associate director of the school’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, recently shared a handful reasons to seek work during the holidays:
- “Business doesn’t stop during the holidays—nor does the need to fill an open position.”
While schools may be closed for winter break, businesses aren’t. A prospective employer may be looking to hire at any time of the year. - “January is the strongest hiring month.
Statistically, January is usually one the strongest months for employment in the calendar year. - “Most organizations operate at a slower pace during the holiday season.”
This is important because it means employers have more free time to meet with you and usually aren’t cramped by obscenely busy schedules. - “‘Tis the season to be jolly.”
Bluntly, people are nicer during the holidays, and that can mean turning an opportunity into a career. - “There’s less competition.”
Perhaps most importantly, your potential competition is taking time off, allowing you to take advantage. Job applications usually drop by about 75 percent during this time of the year.
The ample time off also gives you the opportunity to re-work your strategies. This can include revamping your resume, focusing on your real career objectives, adding valuable new skills to your job-hunting arsenal, expanding your ever-important network of connections and boasting your interview abilities.
You can read the full list of helpful tips on the UNC Kenan-Flagler website.
