What to Do with My Job Hunt During the Holidays?

So the holidays are upon us in full force.  For some this can be a wonderful time of year to rest, relax with friends, and remember times gone by.  For others it can be very difficult.  For a job hunter who has been out of work for awhile it can be frustrating in some senses but also a chance to take in the holidays more fully.  I remember being in between jobs during the holidays one year.  It was stressful from the "I have no income" perspective.  On the other hand I was able to enjoy my family and friends more.

So don't let the holidays get to you as you continue to hunt for your next best gig.  The key to any job hunt is your mindset.  How you view your job hunt can make or break you and will ultimately determine the speed at which you gain new employment.

The same holds true of your job hunt during the holidays.  Bottom line, don't drop off the face of the earth and not continue your efforts in your search.  Companies are beginning to hire more now and it should only get better once January hits.  You want to take this time to continue work on defining your target job, editing your resume, preparing for interviews, and especially networking.

I was reminded this morning of what a wonderful opportunity the holidays can be for your networking.  How many holiday gatherings or parties will you be attending in the next four weeks?  What a fabulous time to let friends and family know of your search and what you are looking for.   Keep positive and keep your explanation or "sound bite" brief.  People are happy to help you "research" your next opportunity if they now what you are looking for.

So prepare yourself with a brief sound bite.  I recommend to my clients to include some of these phrases and introductions.
"I am researching new opportunities in the ______ industry."
"As a Director of Marketing I am known for ______, _________, and _________."
"I am an Auditor researching opportunities in the non-profit sector.  Do you know of anyone in that area that I could contact?"

Have fun with it and keep it conversational.  Remember it is not all about your saga.  By asking others about themselves you may discover they work at a company you have been researching.... and you never know what will happen next.

My reminder about the networking opportunities came up when I read an article.  See Greg Ikner's article about how to take additional advantage of these holiday gatherings.

Happy Networking and Have Fun,
Lisa

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."