December Graduates,
With graduation only a few short weeks away, it is natural to start freaking out if you are graduating in December and still don’t have a job. However, as stressful as the situation might be, there’s no need to start panicking yet. Here’s why:
You Get Extra Time: Unlike May graduates who could have a job start the day after graduation, December graduates get some extra time. Most companies aren’t going to have an incoming employee start right before the holidays. There would be no employees in the office to train them. This means that although you might be graduating in a few weeks, you aren’t missing out on anything if you don’t have a job right away. You get a little extra time!
The Fiscal Year: Many of you have heard about a company’s fiscal year. For those of you who might not know what it means, it’s basically a year as reckoned for taxing and accounting purposes. Many companies have their fiscal year starting in January. A Fox Business article says, “many companies are often working with renewed budgets starting in January and are in better positions to hire now that they know their budget for the year.” So what does that mean for December graduates? It means that there’s a chance for a large influx of new job postings starting in January! And unlike May graduates, December graduates are a lot more attractive because they can start right away.
Less Competition: There will always be competition in the job market, but the incoming talent pool is much larger if you graduate in May. This is a great advantage for December graduates! With the competition less intense, it might be easier to snag one of those new January job postings.
Tis the Season to Network: With all those holiday parties and social events, December is a great time to network. Talk to those distance relatives about possible job opportunities and explore the world of LinkedIn! Try to find a couple people in your desired line of work to meet you for coffee or lunch. “Because of the more relaxed productivity expectations of the holidays, it may be much easier to gain access to those key decision-makers and hiring managers who are still in the office during December,” a Fox Business article reads.
A New Path: Although going directly into the work force is the path most graduates take, it is not the only one. Graduating in December leaves you with a lot of post-graduation options that don’t involve working. Maybe you were considering grad school but were unsure. You now have the opportunity to focus on grad applications and taking entry exams. Maybe you just want to expand your knowledge of a subject. Spring classes are still available for you to sign up for. By graduating in December, there are a lot of different paths you can go down and you have more time to decide which one you want.
So take a deep breath December grads. There’s a world of possibilities out there and just because you don’t have a job now, doesn’t mean you won’t have one soon. If college has taught us anything, it is that it is never too late. Things can always be salvaged and success can always be achieved. It just takes a little perseverance and a lot of coffee.
Congratulations on Graduating and Good Luck,
One Jobless December Grad to the Next
