3 Ways to Find a Nursing Job this Holiday Season

The halls are decked and the shops are packed.  Job seekers everywhere are uttering the phrase, “I’ll just wait until the new year – no one is hiring through the holidays, anyway.”

The reality is that just as many healthcare settings are looking to hire now. Here are three ways to find a nursing job this holiday season:

Network, network, network

Holiday happy hours and parties abound in the professional association scene.  This is an ideal time to go out and meet and greet as many people as you can.  Can’t afford to attend?  Contact the meeting host or president and ask for a guest pass or one-time discounted rate.  Offer to help out in return.  Then, practice your pitch before you go.  Think less sales-y and self-promotion and more toward sharing stories and how you can help others.

Apply Now!

Chances are your competition is taking a holiday hiatus.  This means that your error-free, tailored resume has a better chance of being seen by a recruiter.  This doesn’t mean you should apply for everything you see, but that you should continue to look and apply for those well-suited opportunities.  It also means that you can follow up a little bit sooner – this is important when recruiters are trying to get positions filled before the new year.

Pay it Forward

Taking the time to volunteer is always a good idea.  One of the added benefits during the holiday season is that, in addition to giving back to your community, you will also be more likely to meet a different group of people than some of the volunteers who regularly work throughout the year.  Also, it is important to note that you are taking the time to make a difference in someone’s life.

No matter what your job search situation is during the holiday season, know that there is something out there for you.

A version of this article appeared on Michelle’s blog, Career Marketeer.