Job Hunting Over The Holidays? 6 Reasons To Keep It Going

We are one month away from Christmas Day and the commencement of the New Year holidays. If you’re on the job hunt, this brief window of time is crucial to network and keep your job search moving forward virtually.

Contrary to what most people think, hiring may not be robust during this period but it definitely doesn’t stop during the holiday season. A slower holiday season for some businesses means more time for hiring and it could also result in less competition for available jobs because of the sheer number of job seekers who do take a break from their job hunt.

“November and December are good months to look for a role as hiring managers look to expand their budgets before year-end. The downside of course is that there are fewer roles, particularly at the senior end of the market. But for job seekers who are getting disheartened with their job search, there is a good chance that the right role could be right around the corner – now is a good time to give the job search and networking efforts another push,” said Sam Belcher, Managing Director, The Edge Partnership Singapore.

There is often a seasonality component to the hiring process and you should take full advantage of it. Here are some reasons to keep your job search going during the holiday season.

#1 Hiring may be slow, but there are still jobs

Competition is a key element during the holidays. The job positions available may be scarce amidst the pandemic, however, as indicated earlier there are fewer people searching for new positions.

In our experience, certain companies often interview candidates for job openings that will be available in the New Year or if they need to fill a position by January. Have a look at our job boards and you will see a number of job leads available in Asia covering different sectors.

#2 More networking opportunities

As large-scale physical functions are out of the question, reaching out to other professionals through virtual events and via social media is a great way to connect with people who can help with your job search.

Connect with the right recruiters and don’t be afraid to ask questions or drop your CV so they can keep you in the radar if anything comes up.

#3 Lay the groundwork for your job search

Use the slow weeks to update your CV and cover letter. Work on defining your career goals by asking the following: What are your objectives? Do you want a new job with a new company? Do you want to move up in your current environment? Determine your needs and desires, and use them to write a small list of career goals for the new year.

#4 Brainstorm your list of ideal employers

After outlining your career goals, take time to think about job characteristics that are important to you. Are you willing to move? What are your salary requirements? Consider location, benefits and environment. Once you have done this, you can create a list of potential companies and roles that will work for you. A final task would be a timeline to help you accomplish the tasks necessary to get to your goals.

#5 Leverage on career advisory and job matching services

Sometimes finding the job you want is hard. Whether you have been recently furloughed or leaving your current position, it is often a daunting task to sift through companies and begin your job search process.

As a specialised recruitment company in Asia dealing with thousands of experienced candidates, we work on providing feedback on interviews and advising candidates on their current career path, moving beyond job matches.

This may serve as a period to tap on our consultant’s knowledge as much as you can. We have industry specialists who work closely with global companies so they will be able to tell you about the latest jobs available and skillsets employers are looking for.

#6 Think about long-term needs

Take some time to think about the skills you have acquired and those you might be missing. Update or remove old positions and education of those that are more than 15 years old and consider new accomplishments and notable contributions you have made at your current job.

The 2021 job market, in a nutshell

Although COVID-19 has derailed economic predictions for 2021, the tight job market in Asia will see a mix of people changing jobs at the start of the year or looking for new ones after being laid off.

There are great opportunities for managers and executives who have experience with digital transformation, banking and technology, and who are able to use their insight to develop new business strategies and create solutions.

We are always in the hunt for experienced candidates and if you are looking to have a confidential discussion on your desired role, get in touch with us at The Edge.