It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. However, if you’re looking for a job in Miami, Orlando, or another nearby area, it can be especially stressful. Should you call it quits and wait until the holidays are over? Or move ahead with your hunt for a new opportunity? Here’s what you need to know.
Pros of Looking for a New Job During the Holidays
During the holiday season, there are many candidates out there who will take a break from their job search. This means fewer candidates for companies to consider and less competition for you. You’ll be able to stand out to hiring managers, as a result, and possibly find a new job faster.
Also, companies in some industries are ramping up their temporary hiring budget during the season. While you might be looking for a full-time opportunity, these positions can often transition into more permanent ones if you prove yourself to be a valuable worker. In fact, companies report keeping up to 25% of their temporary workforce each year.
Too often, if a hiring manager has the budget for a new employee, they have to use it, or they’ll end up losing the money in the next year. This is another incentive for managers to hire a new employee at the end of the year.
Finally, while you might want to take some time off from your search, you never know when the right opportunity will come along. You want to keep yourself out there on the market, continuing to look, in case something that’s an excellent fit for you pops up.
Cons of Looking for a New Job During the Holidays
This time of year is busy for hiring managers as they’re looking to close their books for the past year and plan for the next. Many, therefore, don’t have the time in their schedules to focus on recruiting and hiring.
Another aspect of this involves the onboarding process. Since the end of the year is when many employees take off, and business can slow down, it can be a challenging time to onboard a new employee. Hiring managers often prefer to wait until after the New Year, as a result.
The Bottom Line?
Whether or not there is a true freeze between Thanksgiving and Christmas for hiring depends on the industry and the individual company. However, if you’re motivated to find a new job quickly, then it’s best to continue with your efforts. There’s nothing to lose and only a new job to gain.
Partner With the Professionals
If you’d like help finding a new job this year or in the next, turn to Future Force, one of the area’s leading temporary-to-hire staffing services. We can help you get your foot in the door with top employers and even access hidden opportunities not always advertised. Search our jobs now to get started!