Did you know the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the slowest time of the year for hiring candidates in the energy industry? Here at FootBridge, we sometimes see a drop-off in the middle of the summer. Still, the holidays have proven to be a time when we see a combination of people being distracted and/or out on vacation. Combine that with the end of the fiscal year plus a global pandemic, and you can see why it might be hard to start a new position during the holidays. However, that’s not to say there is no hiring going on. It just means candidates searching for jobs like project engineers, schedulers, and piping designers must remain vigilant. Here we offer some key considerations whether you are an energy firm looking to hire or a busy job seeker.
Stay Motivated
Always be sure to check the FootBridge Job Search tool for available positions in the energy market. Here, you’ll find we have all kinds of job postings across the country, including pipeline projects, mining, agricultural processes, utility plants, commercial sites, and more. Also, be sure to check out leading job boards like Monster and Indeed. LinkedIn also has a job search tool and lets you subscribe to a feed.
Remain Flexible
According to an article in Forbes, while December is the slowest month for hiring, January almost always sees a rebound. And while there’s been a nearly 11 percent decrease over last year’s numbers, keep in mind these statistics don’t necessarily resonate with energy jobs that are based mainly on oil prices.
Now can also be an excellent time to lock up the right candidate who might not start after the first of the year, when other times of the year this might be a deal-breaker on one side or the other. Overall, remember that even if you interview now, most start dates for energy jobs will be after January 1, 2021. However, there may be some exceptions to those numbers.
Stay Competitive
Now is not the time to give up your job search. Instead, we always encourage candidates to update their resume, professional profiles and practice their trade. In the meantime, feel free to check out our previous posts, including Ten Must Have LinkedIn Tips and The Dos and Don’ts of Resume Writing. Speaking of competition, there will likely be less of it during the holidays, which is another reason to make sure your resume and professional platforms shine.
Take this time to network
Okay, we get it. The COVID-19 pandemic may be keeping us away from the office and social gatherings more than we’d like. And while we are all suffering from Zoom fatigue, keep in mind it’s essential to stay connected regardless. Hop on social media to see what professional organizations are up to. Many offer industry news and education on an ongoing basis. Also, our recruiters are always in touch with candidates. If a position suddenly comes up that meets their specifications, you can be sure we are reaching out.
Negotiate
Lastly, while start dates for energy jobs will most likely be after January 1, energy firms hire when they need new employees, period. Especially for more urgent projects.
As always, hiring top talent is essential to your business’s success, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.
Collaborate with FootBridge today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success.