PRINCETON, N.J. (Nov. 29, 2005)-Job seekers who take a hiatus from their job hunt during the holiday season may be missing out on the best time to find new employment, says CareerJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal´s executive career guide.
While the holiday season was once fairly relaxed, few companies can afford to be idle in today´s fast-paced business environment. Organizations with fiscal years starting in January are finalizing new budgets and interviewing candidates for new openings funded for 2006.
"Many companies are busier filling positions between Thanksgiving and New Year´s Eve than any other time of the year," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerJournal.com. "Positions often open up as transitioning employees quit their jobs in order to move to new positions that start just after the New Year. And competition is lighter as many other job hunters focus on holiday-related activities."
CareerJournal.com says job seekers should keep working at their job search all the time. Holiday job-hunting may be easier because many hiring managers have a more relaxed attitude during the holiday season and there are more opportunities to network at holiday social events. Recruiters and hiring managers are often receptive to being approached at holiday gatherings by candidates who inquire if they could call them to talk through their career options.
"Friends and former business associates are often glad to rekindle old ties at this time of year," Mr. Lee says. "People may have more time to get together for lunch or have a phone conversation about career opportunities."
CareerJournal.com offers these suggestions for advancing your search during the holidays:
- Network with hiring managers and recruiters.
- Monitor job postings and ads.
- Send holiday greeting cards to recruiters, hiring managers and networking contacts.
- Make recruiters aware you´re available.
- Post resumes online.
- Reconnect with friends and former colleagues.
About CareerJournal.com
CareerJournal.com is The Wall Street Journal´s award winning career site targeted to executives, managers and professionals.
About Dow Jones & Company
Dow Jones (NYSE: DJ; www.dowjones.com) publishes the global Wall Street Journal with its international and online editions; Barron's; the Far Eastern Economic Review; Dow Jones Newswires and Indexes; and Ottaway newspapers. Dow Jones co-owns Factiva with Reuters, SmartMoney with Hearst and CNBC television operations in Asia and Europe with NBC Universal. Dow Jones also provides news content to CNBC and U.S. radio stations.
Contact:
Beth Brody
Brody PR (for CareerJournal.com)
609-397-3737
bebrody[at]aol.com