SelfhelpMagazine

by Beverly Baskin, Ed.S, MA, LPC, MCC, NCCC

Believe it or not ... the holiday season is -prime time- for job hunting. If you're without a job or unhappy in your current one, it's smart to gear up your search during the last month-and-a-half of the year, rather than get distracted or depressed by the holiday season.

People are in good spirits and socializing more frequently and both factors can be useful to the job hunter.

There are other reasons why you shouldn't put your search on hold until after the first of the year:

• While the number of help-wanted ads usually decreases over the holidays, those that do appear are often high priority jobs that employers need to fill quickly.
• Since fewer people read and respond to ads during this time, there is less competition than usual, which is to your advantage.
• Employment agencies usually experience a decrease in the number of applicants who come to them at the end of the year. That means you're likely to get even more attention and time if you visit them.
• Fewer people submit resumes directly to companies during the holiday period. They wrongly assume their inquires will be lost in the Christmas mail or that employers simply aren't hiring. Neither is true. In fact, a well-written-cover-letter and resume is likely to get more attention because volume is down.
• And while more managers and personnel people take vacation time at the end of the year, that doesn't mean they won't consider a qualified candidate for a job they're hoping to fill.
• Since many companies' fiscal years correspond to their calendar year, new budgets often mean additional money for staffing new positions.

The Best Time to Socialize is Now!

In addition to using traditional job hunting resources, you should also make a point of going to parties and social events, especially ones at which you're likely to meet new people who can be sources of job leads.

• Don't be afraid to let people know that you're in the market for a new job.
• Handing out resumes or pressing people for contacts or referrals isn't a good idea because it puts them on the spot.
• A much better approach is to find out what people whom you meet do and describe your own background and goals before you let them know you're job hunting. If you do it in a friendly and unthreatening way, they're likely to ask what you're doing now.
• That's your chance to mention that you're looking.
• They may offer advice or the names of a person to contact.
• If they don't you can casually say "if you think of anyone I might talk to, I'd appreciate it," and hand them your card.
• Make sure you have a pocket full of cards and steadily talk to everyone in the room if you can, while being discreet.

If you feel stuck in a conversation with someone, just excuse yourself by saying somethign like, "Please excuse me, I"ll try and catch you later...or I need to chat with that person who just walked by before he leaves...my time's up, I need to call home and check in"...or whatever seems reasonable at the time.

People are usually very forgiving at a party, and will not typically take offense at your moving on. Just be calm, talk to one person at a time and enjoy yourself. If you're peeking around corners, scoping out who to talk to next, you will look ridiculous.

When talking with one person, make direct eye contact and avoid looking furtively around the room for your next prospect. It's a challenge, so you'll have to do your best to appear calm, engaging and personable. Remember, it's a numbers game, but it's better to make a good impression on 4 people, than give 20 a bad impression.

If you meet someone who is in a position to give you advice, here are a few more ideas for your consideration:

• ask if you might arrange a brief meeting after the holidays or at a time when you're less likely to be interrupted.
• Another option is to ask for a 10-minute telephone call, and make sure you keep it to 10 minutes.
• If you realize you will be exceeding the time limit because they keep talking on that call, wait for them to pause, then say something like, "I realize that our 10 minutes is up and want to respect your time. Shall I call you again another day?".
• Then leave it up to them to decide if they want to take more time with you.

Should the right opportunities present themselves, get as many names and email addresses as possible from people who could be good employment leads. Once you get their information, try these strategies:

• After the party, drop them each a personalized email. (Avoid sending emails with middle-of-the-night time-stamps, or after you've had three martinis too many!)
• If you managed to get their card, write them a hand-written note the very next business day, wishing them a happy holiday season, and making a polite request for help in finding employment.
• If you are offered the name and number of anyone to contact for employment, take note of how well your conversation is going. Does the person seem to be taking a sincerely liking you? Are you having a free-flow of conversation and good cheer?
• If yes, consider taking the next step and asking for an introduction. That request can sound something like this: "Would it be an imposition for me to ask you to call Mr. Osawa on my behalf?"

Those types of calls are often true door-openers, and can go a long way toward getting you the interview you need. The real trick is in not sounding too pushy or hurried when making this type of request. If your relationship temperature gauge tells you that it's still too chilly, don't venture this far yet. You might get another crack at this opportunity when you follow up with a thank-you note, after you make the call.

Then make that call the very next business day. Waiting a week might make you look lazy, even if it is the holiday season. If you can't reach the person directly, leave a message with a return number and good times to reach you.

Meanwhile, look up their address on the Internet and send them your resume or vitae. That way, when they eventually speak with you, they are likely to have your specific information in hand. They will also likely be impressed with how resourceful and energetic you are. If they ask how you got their address, let them know you found them online. People like to hear their online information works!

Also let the people making the referral know you appreciate their help with a "thank you" message of some kind. Your utmost courtesy is warranted, and will probably get you noticed.

Making the effort to go after advertised jobs and letting as many people as possible know you're in the market for a new position during the holidays will shorten your search.

About the Author

Beverly Baskin, Ed.S, MA, LPC, MCC, NCCC is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Executive Director of Baskin Business and Career Services Executive Offices in Woodbridge, Princeton and Marlboro New Jersey Phone: 732-536-0076. The toll free telephone number is 1-800-300-4079. Ms. Baskin is a contributing author to eight books on the subject of careers. You can visit her websites at www.baskincareer.com and www.resumewriternj.com.