Contrary to popular belief, the end of the year is the perfect time to land your dream job. It is also the perfect time to find your company that key executive that has been missing from your team.
The old thinking that everything, especially hiring, shuts down from Thanksgiving through January 2 is precisely that … old thinking.
The holidays are a great time to look for, and land, that dream job. It is also an ideal time for companies to begin the staffing up process for the new year. With new product and initiative launches happening in Q1 it is important for your company to have it’s employees up to speed and ready to go. Trying to manage the search process in the middle of Q1 often times results in poor hires for the company based on less than ideal candidates available, and restricted time allotted to the search and interview process.
Holiday Hiring For Direct Selling Companies
These days many corporations run tighter ships and have folks on deck pretty much round the clock to ensure a fantastic candidate doesn’t slip through the cracks just because their hiring squad is out sipping eggnog at some holiday fete.
If your company is waiting until the new year to start, you may be looking over a picked over candidate pool.
As a recruiter in the direct selling industry, I have found many reasons that corporations want to fill open positions by the end of the year.
Here are the key reasons I find that this is a great time of year to get hired and to hire:
-Hiring managers are often under pressure to fill jobs before the New Year. Many of our clients are getting geared up for their Q1 launches of new products and initiatives. These companies want their new hires to be able to have an immediate impact in Q1 of the new year.
-Employees naturally want to wait to receive their end of year bonus before quitting their company. Traditionally we have seen a lot of employment shifts right after the holidays when candidates have been paid and are ready for a new challenge.
-Most job seekers fall prey to the “holiday hiring slow down” myth so while there are lots of jobs open, there are fewer people applying for them.
-Many companies forget that there is a 30-60 day timeline at minimum for hiring on an executive. Planning ahead, and starting your search now ensures the interviewing process does not slow down your company initiatives. It also ensure that you are able to do your due diligence with the hiring process to give you a greater chance of getting it right.
So, what’s the smartest plan of attack when it comes to landing that coveted position, or candidate?
Here are some solid tips to make this special time of year work to your advantage:
For the employment seekers:
-Spend some time updating your resume, specifically writing it to speak to opportunities you are interested in. There are a tremendous number of resources online that can assist you with this process.
-The holidays are a great opportunity to re-open doors and reestablish your network contacts. Reach out to your industry contacts with a personal message for the holidays, and let them know you are seeking new challenges in your career for the coming year.
-LinkedIn and other social networks can be a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of who’s going to be where this month. It is also a quick and easy way to announce that you are actively looking. Be visible!
For the company looking to hire:
-Determine what your hiring needs are for the new year based on your company goals and growth forecasts. Plan ahead so you can be ready, not reactive. Be Prepared!
-Start now! Top candidates are already looking for their new opportunities for 2016. Don’t be late to the game and miss the opportunity to talk with the candidates that are hitting the ground running.
-Remember, hiring timelines are generally 30-90 days from the time you post a job description to start date for the person hired. Don’t cut yourself short and end up rushing the process. Rushing results in mistakes, and a bad hire is one of the most costly mistakes you can make for your company.
Recruiters and human resource departments know how busy January is when it comes to staffing.
People make resolutions to make positive changes to their career’s, everyone’s renewed and invigorated; ready to get that dream job. By having a plan and getting organized early, both as a candidate and hiring company, you’ll beat the post-holiday hiring rush and stress.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Hanna Shea Consulting!