The gloom and doom about the state of the job market, the economy, and the political sphere are enough to send even the most optimistic job hunter over the edge these days. Well, friends, I am here to tell you to get back on track and to tune into what’s happening in your field. Today in Digital, hiring is what’s happening. Now that Q4 is here, it’s going to get a little nutty. Why?
The great standoff in Washington basically slowed the hiring process in August and much of September to a standstill. Our politicians are to blame, not the companies. Businesses did what they needed to do to survive — they were cautious, putting roles on hold and taking a wait-and-see attitude. But jobs are slowly getting reapproved, and we see conditions improving all around.
Anyone who is looking to get hired should rejoice now that Q4 has hit. CEOs and the people who run their businesses still need to hit their goals for the rest of 2011. Expect demand to be brisker than it’s been for the rest of the year. If you’re wondering where to focus your job-search energy, look to companies that are eager to achieve year-end performance gains. Crains, paidContent, the Business Insider, and Mashable are all great places to follow the news and figure out what companies are up to. While you’re at it, make a laundry list of the companies who ought to think about hiring you. Pop their names into the job aggregator Indeed, which you can set up to have send you an alert any time your targeted companies post a suitable job opening.
You just might find it’s a great time to be an applicant. Chances are the hiring manager has been having to do both his job and your new job for a while, so demand is great: many firms won’t feel they have the luxury of stretching out the application process. And hiring managers are hungry to hire people they need for fear that they won’t get their budget approved for 2012.
Don’t believe the rumor that hiring ends at Thanksgiving and doesn’t start up again until the middle of January. It’s a lie. If you’re prepared to hustle and actually take interviews during the holidays, you could land an incredible job during that time period. At The Hired Guns, December is usually one of our busiest months — and we have high hopes for all of Q4. Now get cracking, see which of our job openings you’re suited for, and enjoy the ride!
