People seem to think with Christmas around the corner, employers are busy with parties instead of hiring much needed talent. Well I’m here to tell you, that’s not true. The festive season is upon us, but business continues to take priority right until Santa decides it’s time to start loading his sleigh.

“New Year, New Me”

Most of us are promising ourselves that 2020 will be our year. Already we are starting to plan our New Year’s Resolutions. Some of the popular resolutions include getting into the gym, earning more money or spending quality time with the family. Finding a new job can’t help you get into the gym. But it can help you with earning more money and creating a better work life balance. If you leave looking for a new job until 2020 in some cases that could mean 3 months before you’ve achieved your New Year’s resolutions. By which time, most of us have gone back into the old familiar routine that we promised ourselves we’d change.

End of year bonus

I speak with countless candidates every week, who are staying in a job they don’t like just to collect their end of year bonus. I encourage you to ask yourself, is X amount worth your sanity? Or not applying for your dream job? Did you know, your recruiter will advocate on your behalf with their clients to help bridge the gap? The outcome could be in the form of a signing bonus, increased base salary, or a future start date allowing you to collect your bonus.

Time to get into the decompression chamber

I love the festive season and even though I run my own business, this is the time of year when I’m with my family and focused on them. We spend Boxing Day watching old classics, such as Star Wars or The Godfather. Its family time. Now imagine you’ve secured another role handed in your notice and have no anxiety about returning to work in a week. Just the level of bliss and internal harmony this will create is the priceless gift you’ve given to your family.

Benchmark yourself

Imagine choosing to, instead of having to go back to your current employer. By working with a recruiter and exploring multiple opportunities, you may decide the grass is not greener on the other side. Remember your New Year’s Resolution to spend more time with the family? Well, congratulations you’ve just achieved this. How you ask? By giving yourself the opportunity to benchmark your skillset, salary and company. You’ve made an informed decision to stay.

Budgets are being spent

Companies have budgeted headcounts, that they need in order to meet their business objectives. Every day that passes, takes them further away from achieving their goals. Not to mention, the extra pressure this puts on their existing team. To be clear, I’m not suggesting companies will hire unqualified candidates just to meet their headcount. However, some will be open to weighing the cost of hiring someone that needs training against the potential business losses.

Decompression time allows you to do some reading and planning.

This one at face value may contradict point 3, but bear with me while I explain. If you are starting a new job in January most companies will probably leave the start date until the Monday after New Years, yet your spouse will likely go back January 2^nd, allowing you some valuable me time. Here’s a great opportunity, to start thinking about your 90 day plan.

People have resigned and suddenly there are unexpected openings.

If you’ve started your job search, but have not secured another role don’t worry. As you’ve gathered with the above new roles are opening up all the time. In fact, that company you recently met with, but didn’t have the headcount, well they might have just got a resignation.

Contribute to the 2020 vision and strategy for your new employer

Imagine being able to positively contribute to the strategy instead of being told “just execute it”.  How much you can contribute is going to depend on what stage you came into the process etc. But at the very least, you can ask qualifying questions and familiarise yourself with the some of the details.

You are probably wondering how are you going to fit in finding a new job before Christmas. Not only do your current job to do, but with Christmas around the corner you have loads of social engagements to attend. The answer is, by working with recruiters who specializes in your niche. Talk to your colleagues and ask who they would recommend.