This time of the year, it can be very tempting to take a holiday break in your job search.
It’s understandable, really. For some, this may be the first time in years they’ve been able to take a vacation without worrying about work. But taking time off now may extend the search beyond your expectations.
Talk of a holiday job-search break typically starts in mid-November. Typically people decide to take a “holiday break“ because they’ve heard from others who took time off and landed a great job in January.
While kicking back to enjoy the holidays is tempting, you might find you really can’t relax as much as you’d like knowing you still need to find work.
Even if there are no financial pressures, the holidays are the best time of the year to connect with people. It’s a great opportunity to touch base as you share your gratitude for what they may have done for you in the past and the traditional greetings of the season.
In reality, this is the best time of year to conduct a job search. There is less competition for jobs, because other people have decided to take that holiday break from job searching, and you will be avoiding the post-holiday crush of applicants.
November is so important to your job search. This is the time to prepare your search plan to make the most of the holiday season. If you wait until holiday festivities are taking place, you could miss a great opportunity to meet the right hiring decision-maker.
Planning your holiday-season search starts with:
• Carefully planning to meet as many contacts as possible and following up with those you would like to continue networking with in the coming year.
• Now is a good time to make use of your social-media contacts on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter by reaching out and re-establishing contact.
• Having business cards prepared for upcoming events.
• Identifying and attending events that match your interests.
• Developing a hidden job market mind-set. The majority of new jobs aren’t found online or on paper, they’re in the minds of hiring decision-makers. This is the best time of year to meet hiring decision-makers at parties and events.
• Sending Thanksgiving cards to tell people how much you appreciate their help.
• Knowing that most employers are gearing up now for new hires in early 2011 and staying in contact with them through the holidays so you beat the January crowd.
• Volunteering in community. Giving back helps give you a greater sense of purpose, and you’ll meet others with similar interests.
If you start the holiday season without a plan for your search, holiday activities can take over and before you know it, it will be January, and you will have lost the opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
Enjoy this time of year to the fullest, but think twice about taking a job-search break. You could be missing an opportunity to connect with your next employer.
