Christmas can be a difficult time if you have been out of work for while. However hard you are trying to economize there is always extra cost at this time of the year.
Also encounters with relatives, friends and neighbors can be extra stressful when faced with questions about why you still don’t have a job. This is when it is great if you have some positive things to say about how you have spent your time. For example, the new people you have met and the extra training you have undertaken.
It can be a good time to spread the word that you are open to opportunities. Yes, it is legitimate to network a little at Christmas
Many people halt their job search for a long period over the Christmas period and, yes, you should plan a clear break and time with the family. But this quieter time can be good for reflecting on, and refreshing, your job search material.
Although recruitment does scale down in December, it never really stops. So keep this in mind as you consider ramping up the job hunt in the new year.
This is the time when companies complete their budgets for the coming year or make last-minute adjustments to improve their year-end bottom line. They start to be much clearer about their plans for hiring in the near future. Even in this fragile market there will be companies who will be planning to recruit at a time when many job seekers have taken their eye off the ball.
You can help yourself standout by adopting some less used job search strategies, for example;
- Add graphs or charts to your CV.
- Send work samples with your CV
- Create an online portfolio that is easily accessible from your LinkedIn profile – remember to include your STAR stories.
- Contact department heads by name and not the generic human resources contact.
- Burn your portfolio and CV on to a CD and send to potential employers.
Remember to attend any New Year events arranged by your professional and sector associations. There is no better time to network than when people are in good spirits. Go to all those parties and gatherings where you might meet new people who could be sources of job leads. Be positive and upbeat. Let people know you are looking and follow-up after the party.
If you do get a call for interview over the Christmas period, make sure you are available – sorry but this really isn’t the time for a long distance trip that takes you out of touch. Remember all the family stands to gain if you find that new role.
But above all have a good break and make sure you enjoy yourself. You’ve worked very hard this year on your main task of finding work and you have learned a lot. Here’s to a New Year that is bright, light and brings you the success you deserve.
Season’s Greetings to you and your family from me and Wisewolf – http://t.co/JyVHet3M
Wendy Mason works as a Coach, Consultant and Writer.
She works with all kinds of people going through many different kinds of personal and career change, particularly those;
- looking for work
- looking for promotion or newly promoted
- moving between Public and Private Sectors
- facing redundancy
- moving into retirement
- wanting to do a mid-life review
You can contact Wendy at wendymason@wisewolfconsulting.com or ring ++44 (0)2084610114
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- 5 ways to integrate social media into your holiday party and job search strategy (e1evation.com)
- Holiday Networking… (mavenmusings.wordpress.com)
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- 6 Job-Hunting Tricks for a Web 2.0 World (pcworld.com)
Yes, it’s important to be ready even this close to Christmas.
I know of one firm that is interviewing on December 23rd and on December 29th. They expect quite a few people to decline to attend. That means their shortlist will be even shorter than planned. The HR director says that if people want the job, they’ll make it to the interview.