• Ensure you understand whether a job is seasonal or permanent so you don’t end up banking on a paycheck that disappears after the holidays.
• Seasonal work can be a way to get your foot in the door for a potential full-time position. It’s also an excellent strategy for teens to start building their resumes. 
• Even if you don’t immediately get hired, connecting with hiring managers now can set you up to be on the front of the line when more permanent job listings go live.

As the holiday season begins, you might wonder if it is a good time to get a new job. There are some advantages to starting your job search at the end of the calendar year, but you need to ensure the job is not seasonal.

If the position is permanent, the holidays can be a great time to start pounding the pavement. Here’s why you should start looking for a new job now and how you can evaluate the benefits of potential temporary work. 

Apply During the Holidays to Minimize Your Competition

Many companies go on a hiring spree in January, and job applicants also tend to up their efforts in the new year. You can beat the rush when you apply for positions or contact hiring managers during the holiday season. Less competition means higher odds that you’ll secure the job. 

Even if you don’t get hired before everyone goes on their holiday break, your name will be top of mind when job listings are created (assuming you’re a good candidate). A hiring manager may even contact you when a position opens up.

Networking Opportunities Abound at the End of the Year

Watch for networking opportunities as you search for a job during the holiday season. They’re plentiful in December since everyone plans holiday parties and gatherings. 

Attending these networking events can help inform you of job positions you might not otherwise know about. Again, if you’re at the top of a hiring manager’s mind when job opportunities open up in the new year, you’re more likely to get the gig. Often, in business, it’s unfortunately not about what you know but who you know. 

If you secure the job before the end of the year, all those networking parties can help you bond with your coworkers. This allows you to navigate office politics and expectations of your job position much more quickly from day one.

Find Out if the Job Is Temporary or Permanent

Around the holidays, many companies hire temporary workers to offset an increased workload. While this is incredibly common in retail industries, you’ll also find it in other job market sectors. 

For your own financial planning purposes, it’s imperative to gain explicit clarity on whether or not the job will disappear when the calendar switches over to January.

Depending on your state and local hiring laws, the employer may not be clear about the anticipated time frame of the work in the job listing. Things can get even more confusing when you’re a contractor vs. a W-2 employee.

If the employer doesn’t bring it up, ask whether they anticipate this will be a temporary or permanent position.

Temp Jobs Can Be a Pathway to Full-Time Employment

The economy may feel challenging right now, thanks to inflation and dwindling pandemic savings. However, the U.S. economy outperformed expectations. 

The unemployment rate as of October 2023 is only 3.9%. This is equivalent to unemployment numbers in December 2018. 

You might be able to find full-time employment right now. That said, in future years, temporary work could be a gateway to landing a full-time gig if a recession hits and the job market contracts. 

Additionally, seasonal jobs can be an excellent option for teens. Parents could encourage their kids to take on a seasonal position during their holiday break since this can help them build their resume while cultivating good financial habits.

Get Free Financial Counseling Before Jumping Jobs

Switching jobs is significant, even when the job market is strong. You should include it in your financial plan whether you start your new job in December or July.

Luckily, as a Payactiv user, you have free access to KOFE financial counselors. These experts can help you determine whether or not your next career move is conducive to your financial goals before you take the leap. 

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