I’ve had some concerned clients ask me about their job prospects with September gone and November looming ahead, and with it the presidential elections and then Thanksgiving, which historically marks the beginning of the 6-week hiring dead zone. Before I address the myth of the Dead Zone, let me just remind everyone that October is a good month for job seekers. So there’s still plenty of time to round up interviews and receive multiple job offers in 2016. Yes, there may still be seasonal variations in hiring with peak activity in late September and October and late January and February when more interviews are scheduled. However, in our 24/7 world of connectivity and the speed of doing business, hiring managers typically remain up-to-speed and ready to make quick decisions as needed and when out of the office. The job market is hot and the war for talent is on again and very real. Even if you don’t have a job line-up by Thanksgiving, you could still land your dream job during the upcoming holiday season. And a hiring slowdown can be an opportunity to get a leg up on the competition if you are well prepared.
It is important to remember that the best time to look for a new job is when you are ready to make a big change in your life regardless of the time of year. Launching a job search based on a date on the calendar isn’t a sound strategy. Ideally, you should start a job search when you have the time to do the work and are emotionally available to manage this time-consuming project. When possible, it’s recommended to start a job search when there are no other major projects lined-up or any big responsibilities requiring your time and attention (no home renovations, wedding planning, or a long distance/multiple weeks trekking trip.) You really need the time and energy to find the right job. Through my work with clients trying to make career changes, I’ve found that tackling multiple changes at once often results in being over-extended and overwhelmed. When your focus is spread too thin, it’s easy to get distracted. Focusing on one change at a time, you’ll achieve better outcomes.
Making the job of your dreams your reality comes down to your job search strategy and the investments of your time and efforts. A detailed action plan will help focus your efforts. No one is going to serve you a job on a silver platter. Whether you are looking for your first job, a new job, switching industry or careers, or re-entering the workforce, you will need a plan. Your job prospects depend on the actions you take. You have to be ready to move up to the starting line if you want to successfully cross the finish line.
But whether or not you are looking for a job, you should always be networking. Get active on LinkedIn and cultivate good contacts. The holidays are a great time to be practicing the art of seasonal schmoozing at the holiday parties, family gatherings, and community events. The holidays also provide an opportunity to master the art of sending e-cards. Well-crafted thoughtful messages can go a long way toward fostering and maintaining strong connections year-round. And be sure to send the appropriate holiday message to the right people; you don’t want to alienate anyone. Most people appreciate a nicely written message and are happy and willing to be of assistance. I certainly appreciate the Rosh Hashanah messages and well-wishes I’ve received over the past week. And I always welcome opportunities to help others succeed. Helping others creates good karma.
In the spirit of good karma, if you are ready to explore new possibilities and look for a new job, I invite you to create a job search plan, up to 2 pages or a video up to 3 minutes, and share it with me via Google Drive, Dropbox, or your favorite collaboration platform. Email me at info@choicefulpath.com. I will respond to everyone within 3 business days but can commit to provide detailed feedback only to the first 5 who contact me.
More about job search strategy in my next blog post. Be sure to follow my job search series for tips and offers for free feedback and critique.
