The weeks leading into the Christmas and holiday season are believed by many to be a poor time to be looking for work when the opposite has proven true. The Christmas and holiday season is a great time to look for work! Here are seven reasons why…1. Retail businesses are thriving – If you are attracted to the retail sector this is “boom” season. Many companies make their profits this time of year. Sales activities will increase to new levels which requires new human capital to market and sell products, deal with increased inventory flow and manage the business activity in the office.

2. Employers are more available – For many businesses work loads get lighter this time of year as business slows down for the holidays. Decision makers have more time to meet with people and consider other things that managing the things on their desk. As a result, people have more time to answer the phone and will entertain requests to meet simply because they can and they see the value in this kind of interaction.

3. Networking opportunities – The holiday season also brings decision makers out of their offices. Due to reduced pressure on people’s time they may attend a networking event or feel free to attend an event that is associated with the holidays. If you are looking for, and attending events too it is likely you will find a higher number of management out in the public arena. Note to self – Be careful with the Eggnog!

4. Generosity – The Christmas holiday season is known as a time of giving and supporting those in need. Job seekers have reported getting more “yes” responses to meeting and networking requests. When people feel generous they will give time, energy, information, leads and more acute attention to proactive job seekers.

5. Less job seekers – Due to the fact many people do not understand the holiday season to be a good time to look for employment, many people throw their job search into neutral until the New Year. Career Fair organizers have reported attendance numbers at 1/3 of what they typically are during other times of the year. Standing out can be easier due to reduced numbers of people. Caution: Donning your ugly Christmas sweater at a career event may hurt your chances! 🙂

6. Budget surpluses – At times companies have budgets that have funds left over for hiring new staff. These are often viewed as “use it or lose it” funds which must be used or will not be included in the following year’s budget. Decision makers like to put these funds to use by adding new staff before the New Year arrives.

7. Employers are planning for the New Year – The final weeks of the year are also used as a time for planning projects, budgets and hiring for the New Year. Much success has been enjoyed by people who are interacting with decision makers while they are determining expansion plans, increased workload and available monies for staffing impending growth.

So even though most people responsible for hiring would not describe this time of year as the best time to look for work, they would agree there are opportunities for job seekers that other times of year do not afford. So don’t throw your job search “into neutral” or “on the back burner” until the New Year because the best gifting you make this year might be to yourself in the form of a new job! Oh yeah…and be sure to reward yourself with a candy cane. Life is just simply better with a candy cane!