Key Points:
- Companies are finalizing their annual budgets during the year-end, with many hiring managers facing “use it or lose it” policies that can lead to faster recruitment processes and hiring decisions.
- While many engineering candidates pause their search during the holidays, those who continue benefit from reduced competition and a better chance of standing out in the applicant pool.
- Companies often have seasonal staffing needs creating opportunities for seasonal or part-time roles that can serve as stepping stones to permanent positions.
Contrary to popular belief, the holiday season can be one of the most strategic times to advance your engineering career. While many candidates hit pause until January, companies are actively finalizing next year’s project budgets and staffing needs, creating a prime opportunity for proactive engineers.
The myth of a holiday hiring freeze costs qualified candidates valuable opportunities every year, as engineering recruitment never truly stops. Here’s why the holidays can be the perfect time to accelerate your job search:
Networking Can Be Merry and Bright
Holidays like Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, and New Year are the perfect time to reconnect with your network. Use these gatherings as an opening to reconnect with alumni, past recruiters, or former colleagues about life and career changes. While it may feel uncomfortable to mention you’re job hunting, referrals are key to finding great opportunities, as 70% of hires come through connections. Many jobs are also never posted publicly but can be accessed through a network.
A great way to reconnect is by sending out holiday cards, messages, or emails to people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Open up with a holiday greeting followed by an invitation for lunch or coffee. In addition, reaching out during the holidays with a direct request to catch up can set the stage for valuable follow-up conversations after the holidays, making a great way to start the new year.
Hiring Manager’s Year-End Rush
Engineering hiring managers are eager to fill headcount before the year ends, as most engineering departments operate on annual budget cycles and face a “use it or lose it” policy with their hiring budgets. As a result, many hiring managers are pressured to give offers by the end of the year, shortening hiring timelines and expediting hiring decisions within days instead of months.
Use the year-end rush as an advantage to check job postings that have been up for a while. If a position is still active, it might indicate difficulty finding a strong candidate. Reach out directly to the recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn or via email to inquire about the role.
Less Competition, Better Chances
During the holiday season, fewer engineers apply for jobs, which means better chances for active applicants. Many candidates pause their search to focus on holiday events, assume companies aren’t hiring, or take a break from burnout. With fewer applications per posting from November to January, qualified candidates have a better chance of standing out, especially for specialized engineering roles that require specific technical expertise.
Note that some recruiters and hiring managers are busy too, making referrals even more valuable. Reach out to internal connections to the company or hiring manager to boost chances of being noticed and getting an interview.
Holiday Hiring Spikes
Many companies use the holiday period to finalize next year’s project plans, often identifying immediate staffing needs for new product development cycles, manufacturing upgrades, or system improvements scheduled for the new year. These needs frequently include roles in engineering, sales, supply chain, and manufacturing, ranging from full-time to seasonal and part-time positions.
In addition, seasonal or part-time roles can be a great way to gain experience and build connections. If full-time positions open, your proven work and relationships within the company can boost your chances of landing a permanent role.
A strategic approach to holiday job hunting can unlock valuable engineering career opportunities and faster recruitment.
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Maximize your holiday job hunt with expert guidance. Let the recruiting specialists at SoloPoint Solutions help you seize the best engineering opportunities this season.