Don't Take December Off
12-21-2008, 07:59 AM
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Don't Take December Off
I have personal experience with this - found many jobs over the holidays and I started them with the new year. The landscape is different, of course, but this tenet still holds true. Remember to network. And on another side note, credit unions (at least in Washington state) are all doing very, very well. Drop in on yours to see if they have anything available. My credit union recently hired a bunch of people, opened new branches, expanded product offerings, revamped website, contributed back to the community.
From McClatchy Newspapers:
By Diane Stafford
McClatchy Newspapers
Do not put your job search on hold over the holidays.
Yes, the job market is stinky for some people right now, and a quick turnaround isn't likely.
But there are two reasons job hunters should keep looking through December:
• Employers who expect to add staff in January — and recruiters tell me there are some — have their 2009 budgets in place and are interviewing for those positions.
• Many of your fellow job hunters, either out of general holiday busyness or frustration, will take the next few weeks off.
You can get a leg up on the competition by continuing a well-targeted job search now.
That doesn't mean firing off résumés or applications to dozens of jobs you find posted on the Internet. It means zeroing in on real, logical possibilities — jobs that fit your skills, interests and experience.
You have to recognize that employers can be very, very selective these days. They are looking for perfect candidates. They don't want to spend time or money in training or testing the waters to see if your background adapts to the new job.
You will frustrate yourself if you're trying to make a wholesale career shift these days. Stick with what you know, at least for now.
And stick with whom you know.
Holiday parties are the perfect time to connect — to network. Go everywhere you're invited and maybe even crash a few professional association get-togethers.
Let it (ahem) slip in conversation that you're in the job market. Just don't moan or dwell on it. Be sprightly, to use a holiday-themed word.
Your job in social situations is to be so likable, so energetic yet professional, that people will automatically think, "Gee, (s)he'd be fun to work with."
If — and it is an if, not a guarantee — they have a job opening in their organizations, they may help get you an interview. Or they may recommend you to someone else.
The holidays are a perfect time to reconnect or build your network. A holiday card or an e-mail greeting may help you get a subsequent phone call or e-mail returned.
By Diane Stafford
McClatchy Newspapers
Do not put your job search on hold over the holidays.
Yes, the job market is stinky for some people right now, and a quick turnaround isn't likely.
But there are two reasons job hunters should keep looking through December:
• Employers who expect to add staff in January — and recruiters tell me there are some — have their 2009 budgets in place and are interviewing for those positions.
• Many of your fellow job hunters, either out of general holiday busyness or frustration, will take the next few weeks off.
You can get a leg up on the competition by continuing a well-targeted job search now.
That doesn't mean firing off résumés or applications to dozens of jobs you find posted on the Internet. It means zeroing in on real, logical possibilities — jobs that fit your skills, interests and experience.
You have to recognize that employers can be very, very selective these days. They are looking for perfect candidates. They don't want to spend time or money in training or testing the waters to see if your background adapts to the new job.
You will frustrate yourself if you're trying to make a wholesale career shift these days. Stick with what you know, at least for now.
And stick with whom you know.
Holiday parties are the perfect time to connect — to network. Go everywhere you're invited and maybe even crash a few professional association get-togethers.
Let it (ahem) slip in conversation that you're in the job market. Just don't moan or dwell on it. Be sprightly, to use a holiday-themed word.
Your job in social situations is to be so likable, so energetic yet professional, that people will automatically think, "Gee, (s)he'd be fun to work with."
If — and it is an if, not a guarantee — they have a job opening in their organizations, they may help get you an interview. Or they may recommend you to someone else.
The holidays are a perfect time to reconnect or build your network. A holiday card or an e-mail greeting may help you get a subsequent phone call or e-mail returned.
12-21-2008, 09:23 AM
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
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Originally Posted by vagabond
... And on another side note, credit unions (at least in Washington state) are all doing very, very well. Drop in on yours to see if they have anything available. My credit union recently hired a bunch of people, opened new branches, expanded product offerings, revamped website, contributed back to the community.
I am in the market for a car loan and I am actually not going to consider them when the time comes despite the appeal a company CU would normally have to someone like me. I am sure it has something to do with current market conditions, but I can't figure it out. Not to sound uppity, but I am currently in a very strong position in terms of employment situation and credit rating, so if they can't get enthusiastic about doing business with someone like me then it seems very odd.
Last edited by Cubdriver; 12-21-2008 at 09:29 AM.
12-23-2008, 04:26 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Originally Posted by Cubdriver
If top retail on a late model Chevy truck is $21,000 then by golly they are right there at that price for it. Another thing is they can hardly give you the time of day when you call asking about a loan. Their attitude is poor, and I wonder why.
I am in the market for a car loan and I am actually not going to consider them when the time comes despite the appeal a company CU would normally have to someone like me. I am sure it has something to do with current market conditions, but I can't figure it out. Not to sound uppity, but I am currently in a very strong position in terms of employment situation and credit rating, so if they can't get enthusiastic about doing business with someone like me then it seems very odd.
I am in the market for a car loan and I am actually not going to consider them when the time comes despite the appeal a company CU would normally have to someone like me. I am sure it has something to do with current market conditions, but I can't figure it out. Not to sound uppity, but I am currently in a very strong position in terms of employment situation and credit rating, so if they can't get enthusiastic about doing business with someone like me then it seems very odd.
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