Should I Put My Job Search On Hold For the Holidays?

Recently, a number of people I have spoken to have mentioned they are putting their job search on hold for the holidays.  Since Thanksgiving to New Years traditionally is a slow period of hiring in any job market, this may seem like a good action plan.   NOT! 

Putting your job search on hold at this time of the year is a piece of traditional/conventional  job market wisdom.  Some would say that all the holiday activities and demands make the search process just that much more stressful and who needs more stress-right?  Many point to the possibility that rejections during this period saying they will have a amplified impact on job seeker self-esteem.    Others just do not want to be reminded that their resources are limited, and gift giving maybe restricted or nonexistent this year.

All of these sound like good excuses for reduced activity, or no activity at all.  However, the non-traditional Job Market never closes and never sleeps.  If you will work it, your network is available 24X7, 365 days of the year.  While at this time of year your activity may be altered a little you still should be putting a full 40+ hours a week into your search.

This may not be the time of the year to be engaging in some of the more common network activities.  Yes, there are more holiday luncheons and parties so network members may be less able to allow time for coffee and lunch meetings with you.  Because many of your network contacts are aware their company has reduced or stopped their recruiting activities, they may believe their granting an information interview or taking a coffee invitation to be a little benefit to their company or you.

Still, there are networking and job search activities you can, and should engage in now.  First dust off your network contacts listing and be sure all of your contact information is correct and up to date.  Consider sending out Christmas Cards or a brief Holidays Note.  This is one of those activities that can make your stand out from the rest of the job-hunting crowd.  Just be sure to include any companies/contacts that you interviewed with or applied during the year.  What a way to remind your contacts you are still out there. 

You should accept every holiday party invitation you receive.  This includes both business and person invitations.   You make new network contacts to pursue in January, if you work the party.   And do not forget to attend your spouse’s employer’s party, too.   Now is a good time to wrangle an invitation to some of general industry or business community parties as well. 

Just because it is the holidays, does not mean you have to sit on the sidelines.  Volunteer to help at your church, synagogue, or other religious or charitable organization's gift and food distribution.  Arrange to stop by a local grade school and read holiday stories to the students.  Again, these activities will expose you to new people to add to your network AND give you self-esteem boost. 

Stay active on the personal/non-employment side of your life, also.  Definitely do not neglect your exercise and diet programs.  Do not fall prey to the temptation to let down your guard and put on those holiday pounds.  This is the season when more damage is done to the health and self esteem of Americans in just four short weeks than any other month of the year.  Stick to your regimen and in January you will be glad you did, as you will not have one more problem to deal with.

Do not assume that because you are unemployed gift giving is out.  Make something personal to give to those closest to you if you cannot afford to buy a gift.  You can use a hobby skill to create simple but personalized gifts.  Some ideas might be to write a poem and frame it, paint a picture, carve a gift or toy, or develop a scrapbook.  I recently unearthed my old Calligraphy stylebook and I am thinking of ways I can use it to make personalized gifts.  The list of possibilities is long – knitting, crocheting, leather working, writing, scrapbooking, and on and on and on.  

Wherever your Talents/Interests lie, there are opportunities for networking.   Track down an group that shares your interests, and join.  By attending their meetings, and getting involved you will meet new people, and that translate into new contacts.

So, as these sacred holidays approach, I greet you with Habari gani, warm Channukka  Blessings, Feliz Navidad,  Fröliches Weinachten, Noel, and  a Merry Christmas!