The holiday season can be considered a “slow” time for hiring, but that perception doesn’t always hold in the multifamily industry. Property managers, maintenance technicians, groundskeepers, concierge associates, and other roles are crucial for ensuring properties run smoothly—especially because winter brings many unique challenges to communities. The holiday season offers many unique opportunities for job seekers to stand out, leverage networking connections, and land a job before the new year! Here’s how to make the most of your job search during the upcoming holiday season:

 

1. Why Are the Holidays a Good Time for Job Searching?

While many industries may slow down around the holidays, the multifamily industry is typically active. Here are a few reasons why the holiday season is a great time to look for a job in multifamily:

• End-of-Year Hiring Goals: There is often a focus on filling open positions before the year ends to meet annual hiring goals or to prepare for the busy start of the new year.
• Winter Maintenance Needs: The colder months increase maintenance demands and resident service needs, so properties often look for additional support to handle the increased workload.
• Winter Concierge Needs: Many holidays occur in the winter months, causing an increased demand for coverage by temporary or seasonal staff. PTO requests increase, employees use up remaining time off over the holidays, and many other factors increase the need for holiday season staff!
• Less Competition: One might find that many job seekers take a break from their search over the holidays, so fewer applicants means you might have a better chance of standing out.
• Networking Opportunities: The holidays offer plenty of chances to connect with industry professionals at seasonal events, either in person or virtually, and through professional online platforms.

 

2. Tailor Your Application to Reflect Season-Specific Skills

Hiring managers are often looking for candidates who understand and can navigate the unique seasonal needs of multifamily housing. Whether you’re applying for a leasing position, a maintenance or concierge role, or a property management position, showcasing your knowledge of winter-specific challenges and solutions can set you apart.

• Maintenance Technicians: Highlight any experience with HVAC systems, insulation, and snow removal if applicable. Emphasize your understanding of cold-weather property upkeep and emergency repairs.
• Leasing Agents: Winter can be a challenging time to fill vacancies. Emphasize any resident retention and winter leasing tactics experience, showing your ability to keep occupancy high.
• Property Managers: Showcase experience in budgeting and winter planning as the year comes to an end. Your ability to proactively address seasonal maintenance and coordinate with vendors can demonstrate great value.
• Concierge Associates: Demonstrate your understanding and ability to handle the influx of packages, events, and other seasonal occurrences through organization, time management, and effective communication. Winter can create chaos in the concierge department, and it is essential to show your value to a team during this time.

Including these season-specific skills on your resume shows your understanding of the industry’s unique challenges during the winter months and demonstrates that you are ready to address them.

 

3. Networking at Seasonal Events and Gatherings

The holiday season is filled with networking opportunities giving you chances to connect with others in the multifamily industry. Many property management companies host end-of-year events, and professional organizations often hold holiday gatherings where you can meet hiring managers or potential mentors.

• Industry Events: Attend industry conferences, workshops, or holiday gatherings hosted by property management associations. These events provide great industry-specific skills and even offer the chance to make personal connections with people who have hiring influence or insights into job openings.
• Holiday Greetings: Reach out to contacts and mentors with a holiday greeting or an update on your job search. It’s a simple way to keep your name fresh in their mind and might even open doors to some new job opportunities.

 

4. Stay Active on Job Boards and Professional Networks

Job boards and networking platforms can be full of opportunities, especially during a season when fewer people are actively searching. Property management companies often post openings on these platforms, and staying active and engaged can give you a head start on fresh listings.

• LinkedIn and Industry Groups: Stay active on LinkedIn by engaging with posts related to property management, following industry leaders, and sharing insights. This helps to boost your visibility and demonstrate your knowledge.
• Job Boards: Multifamily-specific job boards frequently post roles tailored to the industry. Set up alerts or check posts often to stay on top of new listings.
• Company Websites: Many multifamily companies post openings on their websites before other platforms, so check career sections regularly for updates.

 

5. Leverage Temporary Jobs as a Stepping Stone

Temporary or seasonal jobs in the multifamily industry can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Many multifamily companies bring on extra staff for the winter months to handle increased maintenance, holiday events, or leasing needs, and these positions often have the potential to lead to permanent roles.

• Apply for Seasonal Maintenance Jobs: If you’re an experienced maintenance professional, applying for seasonal work can introduce you to a team and allow you to show off your skills. It could lead to a full-time role as property needs evolve and you will have experience at the property already.
• Event Support Roles: Many communities hold resident events during the holidays and may seek temporary help for planning and resident services. Even if it’s a short-term role, the opportunity to showcase your interpersonal skills and build valuable relationships with the staff can lead you to a longer-term position.
• Leasing Support: Many leasing offices hire additional help over the holidays to assist with resident inquiries, move-ins, and increased holiday traffic. Working in a leasing support role can help familiarize you with the property and show your adaptability!

 

6. Follow Up Thoughtfully

While the holiday season is typically busy, thoughtful follow-ups can help keep your application top-of-mind and show your commitment.

• Send Thank-You Notes: After an interview, consider sending a prompt and polite thank-you email. Mention something specific from your conversation to show that you’re genuinely interested in the role. This also could help jog the interviewer’s memory of your conversation if you interviewed along with others.
• Stay in Touch: If a hiring decision is delayed due to the holiday season, check in politely after a few weeks. This shows your unwavering interest without being pushy.

 

7. Prepare for Job Market Activity in the New Year

If you don’t land a job by December, don’t be discouraged—the beginning of the year often brings new budgets, refreshed hiring goals, and increased activity in the job market. Use the holiday season to prepare, then apply for new roles as soon as they open!

• Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant winter experience, such as handling increased property maintenance or tenant engagement during busy seasons.
• Watch for Jobs: Keep an eye on job boards and company websites so you don’t miss any new job postings in January.
• Practice Interview Skills: Use the holiday lull to work on answering interview questions specific to the multifamily industry. You’ll be ready to impress when January openings start to increase!

Navigating the multifamily job market during the holiday season can present unique challenges and opportunities. Staying proactive, focusing on seasonal skills, networking, and remaining open to temporary roles can help you make meaningful strides in your job search. Use this time to position yourself for success, build connections, and, with the right approach, you could land a fulfilling multifamily position before the new year or when the January job surge begins!

 

Looking for your next role in the multifamily industry? Check out our job board and apply today!

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