Planning to launch a job search in January Although there should be plenty of opportuni­ties available after the first of the year, recruiters say there can be definite advantages to launching your search in December.

Contrary to popular belief, recruiting doesn’t slow dramatically during December. “We’ve had many years when our clients made more hires in December than any other time of the year,” said Kathleen Kurke, national practice leader for The Starbridge Group, a Fairfax, Va. recruiting firm.

Bill Snyder, senior director of franchise operations for Management Recruiters International (MRI), with several offices in the Washington metropolitan area, said, “December is often the biggest month for our offices. And in this marketplace, with the shortage of candidates in every field, hiring managers are hiring people when they can, regardless of the month.”

Although employers remain active, the candidate pool is typically thinner in December. “Candidates are often distracted by holiday activities,” said Paul Siker, a principal for The Guild Corporation, an information tech­nology (IT) recruiting firm in McLean, Va. “And if they’ve got bonuses coming, many people just stay where they are.” Still others suspend their searches because they think employers aren’t active in December, said Snyder.

Whatever the reasons, the result is the same: Less people job hunting and competing for the available vacancies. And that, say recruiters, gives job seekers who remain active a strategic advantage— particularly for positions employers want filled before year’s end.

“Many companies have headcount they want to fill before the end of the year,” said Kurke. Siker said the same is true in the IT arena “I have clients with existing headcount that want to get their positions filled before year end to avoid losing that com­ponent of their budget,” he said. “These employers actually have a heightened interest to recruit before the end of the year.” That heightened interest to hire, “trans­lates into somewhat greater flexibility on the part of these employers,” said Siker. “Companies will look at the overall caliber of the individual. If they can’t find someone with all the experience and skills they want, education and track record become more heavily weighted components. In December, employers are more likely to say, ‘Just give me good people’.”

What if you’ve got an end-of-the-year bonus com­ing? Is that a good reason to postpone your search until January. Not necessarily. “There are some companies whose policies are, If it’s an end of the year bonus, it will be paid as long as you’re employed with us until the end of the year,” said Kurke. “Some require people to be employed at the company in January or February when the actual payout is made. People should factor that timetable into their searches.”

“People can also mention pending bonuses during negotiations with prospective employers,” added Siker. “In this market, some companies will do what they can to compensate people for a lost bonus.” Even if they don’t, however, and if timing forces a choice between your bonus and a new job, Siker said, “You’ve got to weigh both the tangibles and intangibles of the new sit­uation. The tangibles are the salary, bonuses and benefits.

The intangibles include the quality of life, your hap­piness, and the opportunity to learn new skills that will enhance your future marketability. If everything in the new situation feels right, you may decide that’s worth more than the bonus you’re giving up.”