One of the problems of conventional wisdom is that it's not always wise. In fact, it can put unnecessary obstacles in your way.
This time of year, the conventional wisdom is:
1) Nobody does any hiring over the holidays…
2) …So it's pointless to job hunt…
3) Until after the first of the year, when things pick back up.
One of the problems of conventional wisdom is that it’s not always wise. In fact, it can put unnecessary obstacles in your way.
This time of year, the conventional wisdom is:
1) Nobody does any hiring over the holidays…
2) …So it’s pointless to job hunt…
3) Until after the first of the year, when things pick back up.
I have a different perspective on this. When I was an independent recruiter, I needed to make placements or I was out of business. Granted things were a bit slower, I never stopped making calls, leaving voicemails, sending emails, or otherwise advancing the cause of my candidates.
Every other recruiter I knew took their foot off the gas from late November through January 1, but I never did, and I had folks get interviewed and hired during that time period.
So, now that I am teaching you how to get a job, I pass this knowledge on to you. Here are some reasons why you should maintain your efforts, no matter what the calendar says:
1) The people you need to contact might be slow and in planning mode, and thus sitting at their desks – it’s a great time to discuss how you might fit within those plans.
2) Since they are at their desks, and maybe not so consumed with their day to day, they might be more available for a face to face meeting.
Now, let’s say that conventional wisdom holds true. Let’s say the exact person who can help you is out of the office for the duration. This is where you utilize you email writing and voice mail leaving skills.
If you reach out during this time, you will have a leg up on the quitters, because you will be in line for a response upon their return. And know this, everyone checks their messages while they are gone, and if you can solve a problem for them, you’ll get a response. So be targeted in your communications.
Also, people in your network might be in “slow down mode” so they can take the time to have conversations with you. Back in the day, many recruits I was chasing after found time to call me over the holidays, so I know it can work for you, too.
Here is the bottom line: Just because the world tells you to slow down, doesn’t mean you have to, and just because everyone else HAS slowed down, doesn’t mean you should. Always remember, the world is not a static place, so if you give yourself permission to stop, the opportunities will be surfaced and seized by other people. So never stop trying, and never try stopping.
Until next time, I wish you all the best.
Coach Tom
Thomas Patrick Chuna is a certified Five O’Clock Club job search coach, teaching their proven methodolgy to private clients in all fields and disciplines. – I will teach you to apply the methodology to YOUR specific situation. Find me at linkedin.com/in/patrickinternational
Want FREE access to helpful job search tools? – Check out the Five O’clock Club ad on the biocareers “Career Tools” page.
The Five O’Clock Club is a nationally recognized outplacement firm with a proven job search methodology that helps job seekers get better jobs faster.
The Five O’Clock Club also provides affordable, humane outplacement services to companies who care about the well being of their employees. Learn more: http://www.fiveoclockclub.com
