Don’t Give Up Hope: 6 Strategies for Job Seekers This Holiday Season

The holidays may not seem so merry and bright if you’re a job seeker navigating today’s challenging labor market. As business activities slow down, it might seem like the chances of landing a job before the new year are slim. However, don’t give up hope! Despite common perceptions, hiring doesn’t come to a halt in December. Employers continue to hire over the holidays. Some companies are rushing to use their end-of-year budgets, while others are interviewing and vetting candidates now so they can send out offer letters in the new year.

We asked our recruiting team for their best advice for holiday job-hunting success, and hope their words offer you a little encouragement. We have faith that you can – and will – land your dream role soon.

Be Tactical and Persistent

Be persistent and take an organized approach to your job search in a challenging market. Companies are still hiring through the holidays. You can make yourself stand out by being tactical in your search. After submitting an application, reach out to a company recruiter on LinkedIn. Make an Excel spreadsheet to track your applications, interviews, and follow-ups accordingly. A thank you email after an interview still goes a long way. Leverage your network – get on LinkedIn and make a post about what you’re looking for. Connect with colleagues and ask them to refer you internally. Most of all, be patient. Sometimes finding the right opportunity takes time, and don’t let rejections discourage you.

- Amy West – Recruiting Manager

Stay the Course

Stay the course. You know who you are, what you want, and what you’re worthy of. Do not settle on yourself, your skills, or your accomplishments. You bring value and talent. Especially in a hiring market that is nearly unpredictable, you must stay the course because the right opportunity is out there waiting for you.

- Shaunte Kilgore – Recruiting Team Lead

Seize the Opportunity During the Holiday Slowdown 

Most companies do tend to slow down or pause on hiring during the holiday season; however, this is also a time when recruiters may be less busy and are actively building their candidate pipelines for January.  If you’re looking for work, reach out to a recruiter now, network, and set yourself up for success. All that said – not all hiring pauses! I’ve seen candidates get offers on New Years Eve. Stay positive and continue to be proactive in your job search.

- Meghan Stadler – Recruiting Manager

Take Every Shot

A favorite quote of mine is by the Great One, Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky: You miss 100% of the shots you never take. This is true for everything we do in life, and especially when it comes to the job search. If you do not submit that resume, you won’t get an interview.  Take every shot. 

In addition, I’d also like to share two quotes from my dad that mean a lot to me. Perhaps you’ll find them inspiring as well:

“Just keep moving and acting like you’re winning and before you know it, you will be.”

“If you want to be special, you have to do something special and that will require you to work to become something special.”

- Jesse Reed – Base Recruiter

Reconnect & Seek Support

Especially during the holidays, I think it’s important to reach out to recruiters that you haven’t heard from in a while. If you’re being ghosted by a recruiter, that recruiter may not have your best interests in mind. Our team at Orion would love to help!

- Tim Turgeon – Technical Recruiter

Tailor Your Resume For Each Position

Take the time to carefully read job requirements for a position you’re interested in, and then carefully tailor your resume to reflect how you meet those requirements. If you’re sending the exact same resume to 10 different companies – a blanket approach – you’re unlikely to be successful. When hiring managers look at 50 different resumes, they want to quickly see how your experience fulfills their needs. Highlight your successes in other industries, jobs, or career fields and point out how these experiences or skills make you a prime candidate. Tailoring your resume for each position takes time, but it will make you stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of landing an interview.

-Russel Severin – Base Recruiter

As you navigate the job market this holiday season, remember these words of wisdom: Be persistent, stay focused, and take advantage of the unique opportunities this time of year presents. Your dedication and strategic approach will set the stage for success. Stay positive, stay connected, tailor your resume for the position you're interested in, and don’t give up – the right opportunity might be just around the corner.

Be sure to check out Orion Talent’s Job Search & Career Recruiting services to find opportunities with top employers. There are plenty of opportunities for skilled talent nationwide here.  If you’re a military veteran, consider a recruiter-assisted job search. Or, direct apply with any of our valued HirePurpose partners. Browse their Career Pages and apply for open positions here: Featured HirePurpose Military Jobs Network Partners and HirePurpose Diversity Careers.

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