As the end of the year approaches and many professionals go on holiday or reduce their workload, job seekers might assume that this period is unsuitable for networking. However, experts advise that the holiday season can be an opportune time to cultivate professional relationships that could benefit your job search once the new year arrives.
Amanda Augustine, a career specialist affiliated with TopResume, emphasizes that the holiday period provides an organic occasion to reach out to contacts by sending holiday greetings through various channels such as email, LinkedIn, or even physical cards. Introducing a message with seasonal wishes opens the door to reconnecting and gently signals interest in engaging further after the festivities conclude.
Background factors contribute to this dynamic as well. Many workplaces experience a slowdown during the holidays, with lighter agendas and fewer scheduled meetings. This environment means recruiters and hiring managers may have more availability and could be in a more receptive frame of mind toward messages from candidates. A thoughtful holiday greeting, therefore, might be received more warmly and attentively than during busier periods.
For example, Augustine shares the experience of one client who compiled a list of recruiters she had meaningful exchanges with earlier in the year and sent each a concise holiday email. Alongside well-wishes, she included a brief update describing her recent activities and reaffirmed her ongoing interest in specific job types. She concluded by politely requesting the recruiters to consider her for relevant opportunities that might arise, effectively rekindling professional connections without applying pressure.
A crucial aspect Augustine highlights is the importance of brevity in such communications. The messages should not be lengthy narratives but rather succinct notes. A recommended template would begin with wishes for a joyful holiday season to the recipient and their loved ones, recognize the gap since the previous discussion, briefly mention recent professional development or relevant pursuits, and conclude with a courteous expression of interest in future roles and a final holiday greeting.
This strategic, streamlined approach helps to keep the candidate fresh in the contact’s memory, making it more natural to resume conversations early in the next year. Augustine notes that by having reached out recently, job seekers reduce the likelihood of their names being forgotten or perceived as unexpected in follow-up attempts.
Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume, a career platform utilizing artificial intelligence, points out that despite the potential for messages to be overlooked during the holiday season amid digital clutter and people being offline, the right outreach delivered at the right moment can sow valuable seeds for upcoming opportunities. He observes that competition among applicants often intensifies with the arrival of a new year, so establishing connections beforehand can confer an advantage.
Beyond digital communication, Duris stresses that demonstrating availability and willingness to engage even close to holidays can impress employers. He recounts interviewing a candidate willing to take a call near Christmas, interpreting this as evidence of dedication and work ethic. Such traits identified during holiday networking can positively influence hiring decisions.
Additionally, the numerous holiday gatherings present in this season can serve as fertile ground for networking practice. Augustine suggests that these informal social settings allow individuals to hone how they talk about their professional lives, passions, and future plans without the pressure of formal networking events. Exercising these conversation skills in a relaxed atmosphere can help build confidence and rapport, which are valuable for job hunting.
By treating holiday interactions as both opportunities to maintain connections and occasions to practice networking, job seekers can proactively position themselves for success as the new recruiting cycles begin. Embracing this period as more than a mere pause may ultimately smooth the transition to active job searching and bring unexpected advantages.