Holiday Job Hunting for HR Pros

As a human resource professional, you probably realize the truth behind the holiday job hunting myth. Though the pace slows for many companies during the end of the year, it's not impossible to be hired amid the celebrations. In fact, for HR pros, the slowdown could be an advantage when looking for work.

Jayson Nielson, the division director for Accountemps, points out that the holidays are a good time to reach out to hiring managers. Receptionists and other support staff may be on vacation or busy with holiday plans, making it more likely that managers will answer the phone. For businesses with reduced production during the holidays, you may even get the benefit of full conversation. This phenomenon is even more pertinent to human resource professionals. In those companies that have chosen to reduce overall hiring during the holidays, HR departments may use downtime to fill open spots in anticipation of a New Year job hunting and hiring rush. Other companies may face end-of-year budget deadlines that require immediate hiring—well-connected HR pros can take advantage of such information while they're job hunting.

Take advantage of social opportunities and personal downtime for holiday job hunting. While there's certainly a line between stating your intentions and becoming the obnoxious friend at any gathering, don't be afraid to tactfully mention your job search during holiday events. Friends, family, and acquaintances may have inside information about their employers' immediate needs or future hiring plans. When you're not enjoying holiday hospitality or wrapping gifts, spend time putting some professional flourishes on your resume or cover letters. Many people will buy into the holiday job hunting myth, which could reduce competition for available jobs. That doesn't mean you don't need a winning resume; remember that you're competing with holiday parties, rich food, and distractions like gift lists and travel plans. Your resume needs to catch a reader's attention and provide immediate indication of value.

Don't underestimate the value of temporary holiday jobs. While the majority of these positions are in customer service or retail, many companies bring on temporary HR specialists to deal with seasonal employees and paperwork. If you're between permanent jobs, holiday jobs offer a paycheck, the opportunity to learn new skills, and, possibly, the chance at full-time work. Some companies habitually convert a percentage of seasonal workers to fulltime staffers, especially in skilled support areas like HR, accounting, and IT.

Amid the bustle of holiday socializing, cooking, and gifting, you may be tempted to put job hunting on the back burner, but smart human resource professionals understand the unique opportunities inherent in the holiday hiring season. Take advantage of personal downtime, unencumbered hiring managers, and reduced competition to win the position you've been wanting.

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