The Holidays Not The Time To Break From Job Searching

DENVER (CBS4) - It may be tempting for those out of work to put the job search on hold during the holidays, but now may be the perfect time to step up that search.

Companies don't stop looking for employees and if those who don't put their job search on hold are putting their foot in front of their competitors.

"Putting your job search on hold in December, I think that's a mistake," Katie Essman with Robert Half International said.

Robert Half International is a specialized staffing firm that has just come out with its professional employment report. The bottom line for job seekers is 10 percent of executives plan to add professional-level staff in the first 3 months of 2012.

"You want to start now because budgets and plans for 2012, the first quarter, are done," Essman said.

Companies are growing. Everyone expects to hire from accounting and finance to sales and business development. And in the legal industry 27 percent of lawyers plan to increase staffing levels.

But executives are concerned about finding qualified people.

"Good candidates are hard to find," Essman said.

In fact 67 percent of executives anticipate recruiting challenges next quarter and specialized positions take longer to fill.

"They know it will likely take them 8 to 13 weeks to fill those seats, so you certainly want to get your resume, get yourself, get your brand out in front of those hiring companies, those hiring managers," Essman said.

A couple things to keep in mind -- party with a professional side and use holiday events to network. When arranging a holiday time interview, don't be tempted to dress casually.