Happy Holidays - You're Hired!

Contrary to common job search myths, most companies don’t cease hiring during the holidays. The months between Thanksgiving and the New Year are often the busiest of the year. With many managers scrambling to make the most of their annual budget, and others planning for January, companies are looking to add staff, or research for next year’s hires, before midnight on December 31, 2009.

Showing up when others are taking off may land you that new position to ring in the New Year!

Swim in the Smaller Pool

The holidays are swiftly approaching, and the majority of Americans will use this time as a welcome vacation from their tedious careers. Don’t make this mistake. The pool of job seekers actively pursuing open positions is significantly smaller during the holiday season, and unemployed job seekers should capitalize on this smaller pool of competitors. In a time of gluttony and excess, when others are focused on the holidays, utilize this time to prove to employers your determination and focus.

Stave away the winter blues by vowing to advance your job search one day at a time. Set a goal to complete one substantial step towards employment each day. For example, connect with 15 new contacts on LinkedIn, research five companies and apply to postings on their Web site, or attend a networking event.

Earn Extra Holiday Cash and Career Experience

Regardless of your employment status, seasonal or part-time work during the holidays is an effective way to earn extra cash and gain valuable work experience. Job seekers who take on additional part-time employment within their desired career path are viewed as going above and beyond the expected employment strategy. In some cases, a part-time or seasonal position can even lead to a full-time job within the company or industry of your career dreams.

Capitalize on Gatekeeper Absence

During the holidays, many administrative staff members request time away from the office. Gatekeepers, executive assistants, for example, who protect the process of connecting with management, will often be absent, making it more likely to reach the decision-makers within a given organization. Also, many managers spend more time in the office in the winter months to compensate for time off taken by their staff. Use this time to your advantage; call the company and ask for the hiring manager directly. In this economy, managers receive a plethora of responses to each job opening, and making a tactful and professional phone call inquiring about the status of your application can go a long way.

Don’t wait until the week before Christmas to inquire about open positions. Increase your chances of getting hired this holiday season by submitting your application early, and beat the post-Thanksgiving rush.

Comments

[T.M.Kohnke]

Good Afternoon Mr. Gimbel,
Dear Mr. Gimbel,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for having this informative page available. I also wnated to thank you in advance for taking a moment or two to glance over the following. I am a good worker, in my mid-thirties. i have been subkected to layoffs, etc, where it takes time ti get back on your feet, right about the time another lay-off! I am positive spirited, do the best I can, and it has been a full life at this point. Not everyones background is the best, but I do apprcieate that I was given an opportunity, to "try-out" for a slot with LaSalle. Honestly, my initial thought that was I was not on that scale, so I was suprised. Anywho, no way to give you the whole rundown but enough to know I wish things had gone better with this previous interview, based on a call-in. I more was hoping to pass on thee knpowledge that it is nice to know we are worth the time for feedback. I know there is not enough time in the world to make everyone happy. What I also know is that in customer service, the 10 seconds you give to the customer is 9 out of 10 what the hoped to attain, someone to hear them and care as to what it was they were displeased with. Life as it is, yet still blessed. I have a solid customer service and adminstrative background that will find its home, no doubt, and I am still grateful that I was considered for this opportunity even if only for a moment.

Best to you and thank you for your time. And think you have very nice taste in music, from your board there.

From: Tamala Kohnke (tmkohnke@msn.com)
Sent: Thu 10/29/09 1:40 PM
To: arner@lasallenetwork.com

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out to respond to this response. Everyone everywhere is worth a moment of time. Best to you all in continuing to assist clients and employment candidates successfully fitting. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

God Bless,

Tamala Mary Kohnke
tmkohnke@msn.com

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From: tmkohnke@msn.com
To: jgarner@thelasallenetwork.com
Subject: The LaSalle Network - Response Request
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 11:09:38 -0500

Good Morning Ms. Garner;

Thank you for your time and consideration on this. I realize in the response letter that you all do not feel that I fit the criteria to be in your candidates listings. I was called from your downtown office, in regards to my resume, no message, so I gave a call back. I was informed that I may be a match for an opportunity. I appreciated meeting with the nicely-mannered office staff, upon arrival. That was a positive bit, along with the testing, that I thought went very well. I am not sure as to why you do not feel I am a "LaSalle" fit. I was inquirying as to any feedback you may have or perhaps if you may be able to share what was my "pitfall". Perhaps, the original call was in error to begin with. Nevertheless, I always appreciate a chance to interview and testing to improve and strengthen my performance. I am very comfortable with my customer service skills, along with my background. Life goes on and I am positive the right fit will be at the right time and place, and welcomed from both sides, meaning I welcome that, as I will be welcomed from the right fit, they will proud to have me as a team member, as well. Again, I appreciate your time and consideration, and if you have a moment to respond, thank you. Again, very nice office personnel upfront, polite, friendly. I believe those folks would make fine Human Resource/staffing representatives for your facility. That, and the testing I found to be the most productive part of this interview. Best to you in continuing to assist companies and individuals in their employment needs.

Thank You Again,

T.M.Kohnke