So many workers assume that because the holidays are upon us, hiring must come to a halt. And perhaps when companies actually closed down for a week or two before Christmas or slowed down around Thanksgiving, that was the case. But that's just not happening as much as it used to.
"A lot of people think, 'I'm just going to kick back and start my search in earnest after the first of the year,'" said Lisa A. Ryan, senior vice president and managing director of Heyman Associates, an executive search firm that places senior-level professionals. "That's a huge mistake because when companies have a need, they're going to hire no matter what time of year."
Jeanne Pardo, managing director of operations at staffing company Randstad, says this is a good time to look for a job. "People are beginning to prepare for 2008. They are evaluating and looking at the structure today and are looking at hiring."
Proceeding with the job search this time of year may be a bit different than at other times. The interview process might take even longer than normal as interviewers take time away from work.
Holiday parties are the perfect place to network and let people know you are on the hunt, said John A. Challenger, chief executive of Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an executive outplacement consulting firm.
