Dear Sam: It is getting into the holiday season, and I wondered if it is even worth my time to search for a job right now. Should I cut my losses and resume my search in the new year? – Matt
Dear Matt: Absolutely not! While hiring slows down at this time of year, it is a fantastic time to get your resume and LinkedIn profile shipshape for recruiters and hiring managers still seeking candidates for open requisitions. Think about it; if many others feel the same way as you, and you continue submitting your resume for opportunities, you will compete against a smaller candidate pool!
In addition, this is a great time to start cultivating relationships throughout your network, sending out a polished and keyword-rich resume, engaging those outside your immediate purview through LinkedIn, and ramping up your search. You can also use some of the coming weeks to identify companies you are interested in and start preparing cold contact cover letters. Submitting a resume and cover letter to a company without current listings could place you front and center in the minds of hiring managers once the new year budgets are approved and hiring explodes. Never put your search on hold; you never know what opportunity you may miss out on, what relationship you could have developed, and the doors you could be opening even if an open position doesn’t currently exist.
Dear Sam: I am in my mid-40s and have driven a tractor-trailer for most of my career; however, due to a recent accident, I have been forced to look for another occupation. How do I create a cover letter explaining why I am changing careers? – Tim
Dear Tim: When embarking on a career change, you must first define your purpose and identify your transferable skills. This is much more important than explaining the reason for the transition because if your resume and cover letter do not make a strong case for your ability to perform within the new occupation, then you probably won’t get the interview in the first place. Additionally, explaining that you had an accident, without going into too much detail as to the limitations it has now presented, may make a hiring manager question your ability to perform other job functions. Therefore, the best approach is to market your transferable skills and not mention the reason for the career change.
I always tell clients that it typically never serves them to highlight a potentially disqualifying factor unless, by not doing so, you won’t get the call for an interview. In your case, explaining the impetus for the move will do nothing but highlight the lack of experience in your newly desired profession. It will also tell the hiring manager that it was not your choice to change fields and could make them think you might be less enthusiastic. Stick with making a case for how well you can perform within your desired profession based on your past experiences, skills, and education.
