Keep job hunting during the holiday

Many employers are interviewing for senior appointments with the intention of hiring by the beginning of January as new budgets kick in.

This startling finding by Bernard Haldane Associates, the career management firm, is based on first-hand reports from clients and from human resources professionals.

ìUp to 30 per cent of HR managers have positions they expect to fill by the end of the year, holiday or no holiday,î said David Northwood, UK client services director for Bernard Haldane, whose company helps job hunters through 100 offices worldwide, eight of them in the UK. ìDespite conventional wisdom, job hunters will find that the holiday season is actually a good time to be looking for a job.î Mr Northwood offered seven seasonal tips to those actively conducting a search during the holidays:

ï Do not put your search on hold. Professional career advisers say that the December holiday season is actually a good time of year to search for a top job.

ï It’s an ideal time to network. People are in a generous mood at this time of year and may be more sensitive to the situation of those who are unemployed, and as a result may agree more readily to a meeting.

ï Slower holiday pace provides opportunity. This may be an easier time to reach a hiring decision maker directly by phone since many administrative staff - assistants and secretaries who screen calls - take time off over this period.

ï A great time to beat the competition. Since so many job hunters put their searches on hold during the holiday season, there is less competition for jobs and more opportunities to stand out from the crowd.

ï Office parties offer great chances. Job hunters should plan to attend any office or business party they can. There is no better time or place to make contacts for networking afterwards.

ï Look for holiday voluntary work. Volunteering opportunities can expand the job hunter’s network of contacts, while many corporate charitable or community support programmes are short of help at this time of year.

ï Keep the promises you make. When sending greetings cards or emails, tell your contacts that however bad you’ve been in the past, this time you definitely will be in touch and not to be surprised to hear from you. They will then take your call with goodwill, not suspicion.