Holiday job search myths and realities

A woman on the phone using her laptop in an office

The festive season has arrived, and we are ready for a well-earned holiday break. Jobseekers often press pause on their job search during the Christmas period, with many believing businesses stop recruiting.

This is a myth.

The reality is that seasonal opportunities are readily available, and hiring managers often use this lull in their business-as-usual workload to recruit for roles and or define workforce requirements for the new year.

So, if you are committed to finding a new job in 2022, use some of your time off to strategically plan, commence or continue your job search.

Busting holiday season job search myths

There are many myths about the effectiveness of job searching over the festive period, with some believing it’s pointless. Here we dispel the myths in favour of the reality.

Myth #1: Only retail jobs are available at Christmas

The traditional spike in short-term seasonal retail roles leads many jobseekers to assume these are the only jobs available.

The reality: New Year hiring plans begin before Christmas

Businesses in most industries plan their new year hiring needs in advance of the festive season. Many send job descriptions to recruiters and post job advertisements before Christmas, so they can review CVs after the break. Take time during the Christmas period to update your CV and send it to recruiters to ensure your application is at the top of the list.

Remember, when an organisation has a business need, they address it – regardless of the time of year. If you’re not prepared to apply for jobs during this time, you could miss an opportunity.

Myth #2: Job searching interferes with holiday plans

Everyone’s diary is full of holiday plans and some people assume job searching will only hinder their social schedule.

The reality: A small investment now will pay dividends

Block out time to search for jobs and send your CV to relevant hiring managers or recruiters, even if it’s only a few hours on your first day off. Acting at the start of your holiday means you can relax for the remainder of your break, knowing you’ve made some job search progress. You’ll also get a head start on those who wait until January to update and send their CV.

Myth #3: No one will look at my CV during the Christmas period

Some industries wind down towards the Christmas break. If you work in such an industry, you may assume that no one will read an application sent during this time.

The reality: Your CV will stand out and many employers want positions filled for an early January start

When workloads slow, managers use this time to catch up on other aspects of their role. Workforce planning can become more of a priority during this time and it could be your chance to grab their attention during their quietest period.

January often marks the start of a peak in hiring activity as organisations add headcount to achieve strategic business priorities for the year ahead. Some businesses get a head-start by recruiting in December for early January start dates.

Myth #4: There’s no budget for recruitment

Many people assume that there’s no budget left for new roles at this time of year.

The reality: There’s urgency to recruit before budget deadlines

When budgets expire at the end of the calendar year, there can be urgent requests to fill roles while the funds are available. With a short window to secure talent, employers want to find the right person before the year – and their budget – ends. This sense of urgency could mean your CV will receive greater attention.

What’s next?

The festive period is the perfect time to commence or continue your job search. With fewer jobseekers in the market, you’ll give yourself a head start on the competition.

But remember to take time to rest and relax, too. We all know it’s been a hectic couple of years. Once you’ve taken the time to update and send through your CV, enjoy this well-earned break – with a view of achieving career success in 2022.

Now you are ready to begin your festive job search, follow the below steps:

Ask yourself what you want from your new job. What kind of role do you want in 2022? Is it the same or different to your current role? If you aren’t sure, our Career Goal Planner will help you define and set your goals;
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile;
Search for jobs;
Send us your CV;
Network with relevant contacts who could aid your job search;
Refresh your interview skills and be ready to impress an employer or recruiter when they call.

About this author

Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director, began working at Hays in 1993 and since then he has held a variety of consulting and management roles across the business. In 2004 he was appointed to the Hays Board of Directors. He was made Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand in 2012.

Prior to joining Hays, he had a background in human resource management and marketing, and has formal qualifications in Psychology.

Follow Nick on LinkedIn