December Found to be a Fertile Period for Successful Job Search

Copyright (C) 2009, Ford R. Myers. All Rights Reserved.

HAVERFORD, PA  (December 17, 2009) -- Every year as the holidays approach, most job seekers and career changers cease all their efforts. They believe there is no point in pursuing new opportunities during the holidays, and that employers won't be making hiring decisions until at least late January. Many remain idle from mid-November to the second or third week of January.

But according to Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC, a Haverford, Pennsylvania-based career consulting firm, making these kinds of assumptions about the holidays is a huge mistake, especially in this challenging job market -- the worst since the Great Depression!

Myers suggests that job seekers become "contrarians" -- and do what all the other candidates are not doing. Since most of them are taking an extended break, this opens up real opportunities for motivated job seekers.

"The reality is that the holiday season is an excellent time to develop and leverage new contacts for your job search. Many companies are completing their budgets for the next fiscal year, and they're filling job openings to keep the funding for those positions. This is often the best time to get in front of hiring managers who may even create a position for you. Also, once year-end bonuses are paid, a predictable percentage of employees will leave their jobs, creating new vacancies," says Myers.

Myers offers the following 10 career-savvy tips for the holidays:

1. IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.  During the holidays, most people are naturally more convivial and generous in spirit. There is simply no better time to solidify existing relationships and forge new ones! Even hiring managers are typically more receptive and "open to discussion" than at other times of the year.

2. TUNE IN TO THE NETWORK.  There are many networking events in December and January -- in your social life, your community and your professional circles. These celebrations make this the best time of year for productive networking!

3. SMALL TALK REAPS BIG BENEFITS.  Most professional associations make a holiday party out of their December meeting. These special occasions offer a more casual atmosphere than the formal presentations held at other monthly meetings. Be prepared to make interesting small talk to establish new contacts. Ask the people you meet about themselves, their work and their interests. Remember, everyone's favorite subject is themselves!

4. CONVERSATION STARTERS AND STOPPERS.  Prior to a social or networking event, prepare at least three neutral questions you can ask, such as:
* How do you know the host, the company, etc.?
* What made you decide to come to this event?
* What other organizations in this industry do you belong to?

If you find it's time to move on and talk with someone new, you'll need some phrases to help you transition during the event. Here are some good "exit lines":
* I'll let you go now so you can continue circulating around the room.
* I'll stop monopolizing your time so you can meet some other folks.
* It was great speaking with you. I'll follow up as we discussed.

5. VOLUNTEER. There are more volunteer opportunities around the holidays than at any other time of year. This is a good way to help other people, feel good when you need a boost, have a renewed sense of purpose during your search, and meet other professionals. Volunteering also gives you something interesting to discuss with the new people you meet!

6. CALL PEOPLE.  On the day after the holiday, make follow-up calls to people you've just met, and also make cold calls. You'll find that many people will not be at work. But whoever is at work that day will not only be available for a conversation, but will be grateful to speak to someone.  If there are people you've been having trouble reaching, be sure to take advantage of this unique outreach opportunity.

7. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS.  This is the time to send cards to everyone on your "career list," including executive search firms, human resource professionals, hiring managers, and people with whom you've already networked. Don't write about your job search in the holiday card. Be sure to include your contact information with the card so the recipient can also reach you!

8. 'TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.  This old saying is especially true during the holidays. The fastest and most effective strategy for getting help is to offer help to others. Ask the people in your network who they might like an introduction to, or if there is any way that you can be of assistance to them. Be a real "connector," and in turn you will get really connected!

9. PLUG IN AND TURN ON.  Job search technology has come a long way. Use the holidays to connect and reconnect with people on social media web sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Ryze, VisualCV and Ecademy. Connect with local businesspeople in cyberspace and then take your connections "live" with face-to-face networking meetings.

10. BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY MAGNET.  At holiday time, some job seekers tend to become overly negative or cynical during what they perceive as a lull in their career transition. Don't fall into this trap. Get into positive action precisely when others are "sitting on the sidelines." Always think and speak positively, and you'll become an opportunity magnet -- poised to attract, interview, and "hire" your next employer.

"If you're in career transition or looking to move up at your organization, these strategies will give you a new perspective on the holidays. Instead of 'taking a vacation' from your job search activities, take full advantage of this overlooked opportunity to move your career forward. Then, you'll really have something to celebrate over the holidays," adds Myers.


Copyright (C) 2009, Ford R. Myers. All Rights Reserved.

CREDENTIALS:  Ford R. Myers, a nationally-known career expert and author of "Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring." He is a speaker and media personality on the topics of career management, executive coaching and employment trends. Ford's timely advice and tips have been featured on NBC-TV, Comcast-TV, ABC-TV, Fox-TV, Clear Channel Radio, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post. For information, visit www.careerpotential.com and www.fordmyers.com.