'Twas the build-up to Christmas and all 'cross the nation, jobseekers everywhere grow mad with frustration...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas throughout the UK, as houses glow bright with sparkly decorations and the airwaves once again become flooded with festive tunes.
With that, offices and workplaces around the country are also beginning to gear up for the holiday, as eager eyes focus on the well-deserved Christmas break on the impending horizon.
Unfortunately for job hunters, this joyous noel can result in a less joyous no-reply for job applications, as hiring trends and recruitment activities often get put on hold until the new year.
That being said, it's important to remember that, while Christmas is undoubtedly a time of giving, it's definitely not a time for giving up.
In fact, Christmas can be the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the January/February boom period...
Why Job Hunt Over Christmas?
As alluded to above, the new year is often the most popular time for recruitment as candidates and companies refocus their attention on finding work and finding workers respectively.
That being said, there's definitely a sizeable upside to job hunting at Christmas and numerous benefits to sending off job applications during the festive season.
Less Competition
While there may be less emphasis on hiring during the tail-end of the year, waiting for the January boom period to apply for vacancies can cause you to get lost in the shuffle.
Increased competition from other applicants also applying during the new year means that, by waiting until January, you are effectively increasing your chances of slipping by unnoticed.
Think of it as doing the weekly grocery shop during peak times on a Saturday. Congested aisles can lead you to miss some great deals and overlook some quality products - the same principle applies to recruitment.
More Vacancies
In addition to being a better time to apply in terms of getting a leg up on the competition, the Christmas period can also present an increase in the number of job vacancies as well.
It's not unusual for people leaving their jobs to finish up their roles in the run-up to Christmastime, as a means of extending their Christmas break. As a result, there can often be a spike in vacancies prior to the Christmas break.
Getting in early on these vacancies could prove fruitful as many jobs will include a condition on their job ad noting they reserve the right to close the ad early, should they find the right person for the job.
Budget Deadlines
For companies working with an annual budget, the end of the calendar year can often leave employers with a pot of change left over before the year is out.
In order to avoid budget cuts the following year, a "use it or lose it" mentality can take over and such businesses will move to spend their allotted hiring funds prior to New Year's Day.
Should the stars align, this enhanced focus on recruitment can be the perfect way to help you find your very own Christmas miracle in the form of securing a new job.
Temporary Work
Job hunting over Christmas doesn't always mean applying for the role of your dreams or the next logical step in your career development.
For some, finding a job can be as simple as finding ANY job, especially if such a search comes after an unfortunate lay-off or unforeseen restructure.
As such, it may be worth taking advantage of the numerous Christmas jobs available during this festive period.
While they may not present a comparable salary or an in-road to the next step on your career path, it will help you to cope financially.
Meanwhile, who's to say your Christmas job won't take a life of its own and develop into a career long after the festive season is over?
So, there you have it: don't just sit back and raise a glass this Christmastime; raise your game and put your job hunt into overdrive - it could pay off big!
For more information on job hunting at Christmas or to hear more job search advice, why not speak with one of our expert advisors today? Call now on 0203 225 5120 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.
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