It is the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. and many of us are shopping, slowly emerging from a food coma and wondering what the new president is going to do about the pandemic and the economy. Although the surge in Covid-19 cases has me worried, I am truly grateful for my health, family and friends. This has been a challenging year and I am so grateful for all of the clients who help me grow professionally and personally. I am always a teacher and a learner. I appreciate you, the reader.
As an educator, I usually spend November and December convincing job seekers to continue to network and apply for work. This is the time of year that I repeat a thousand times – do not pause your job search!
The world does not stop making money in November and December, even during a pandemic. Americans are not great about taking time off to celebrate holidays. According to a 2019 survey from Reservations.com, more than 1 in 4 or 27% of Americans didn’t take a day off during the 2019 holidays. Similar results were reported in a poll Small Business Trends carried out in December 2019. They asked readers, “What best describes your holiday vacation plans?” and to date, 25% of them responded, “Who has time for vacations.”
Even if you are not able to attend holiday in-person events, you can still take advantage of the holidays to network and apply for jobs. I included a few tips for continuing your job search during the holidays.
Reconnect with colleagues by wishing them a happy holiday. This is the time of year when you can send cards, LinkedIn messages, emails and DMs to colleagues to thank them for their support, wish them well and ask how they are doing. Be sure that each message is personalized and that you ask about their family, projects or professional developments that occurred during the past year. This might require you to read up on their latest posts or communications. A little online reconnaissance (or stalking) is totally appropriate. People are more likely to respond if you take the time to personalize your message, rather than send the same greeting to fifty people. Let them know about your latest job search, professional development, training, volunteer and leadership activities. This is a great way to start a dialogue if you have not checked in for a few months.
Attend online holiday events. Many professional organizations are hosting online networking events where you can meet others in Zoom break out rooms. Other organizations are hosting professional development and training webinars where you can ask questions and connect with industry leaders. This is a great way to expand your network without leaving the house. Just be sure to wear a clean shirt and bring an elevator speech. Pants are optional.
Volunteer strategically. A 2013 study by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that volunteering is associated with a 27% higher odds of employment. If you see that a professional organization is hosting a holiday fundraiser, food drive or toy drive, volunteer your services. Also, if colleagues promote charitable activities on social media, take time to ask about how you can get involved. Volunteering for nonprofit organizations is a great way to meet people, expand your network, learn a new skill and prove to colleagues that you are trustworthy, responsible and proactive. In case you are wondering, there are many remote volunteer opportunities available.
Keep applying for jobs. Do not stop applying for jobs because you think that no one is hiring during the holidays. Companies continue to post open positions and accept job applications in November and December. Companies do not totally shut down during the holidays. We already established that Americans do not take much more that a week off for the holidays. Also, you do not know when hiring managers will decide to start the interview process. I have worked with clients who go called for interviews six months after applying for a job. You have little control over the hiring process, but you do have control over the quality and quantity of job applications you turn in right now. This is not the time to take a holiday from your job search.
Ask for help from loved ones. In my last post I talked about making a list of your biggest supporters and creating a personal board of directors. Many of your trusted advisors will have some down time because they will take a few days off of work and they probably won’t be able to take a fabulous vacation. Ask them to join you for coffee on Zoom. Check in and let them know what job search strategies you have implemented. Ask for advice about the job search and networking, or ask them to take a look at your resume. Most of my clients who are employed have expressed gratitude for what they have and want to help others who have been affected by the pandemic. So don’t hesitate to call on your friends for help. Remember that service lifts everyone’s spirits.
Ask for understanding from loved ones. Some job seekers will have the opportunity to travel and spend time with extended family during the holidays. Each year clients tell me that they need to put the job search on pause during this time. Part of self-care is taking a break from the job search. Job search fatigue is a real health hazard that we should all take action to prevent. However, it is also acceptable to schedule one or two hours of quiet time each day for your job search. Don’t be afraid to ask. Most friends and loved ones are supportive of your employment goals and would respect your request for alone time in the morning or evening to apply for jobs.
I hope this blog post inspires you to keep striving to achieve your goals during the holidays. I am always available to discuss your career transitions during a free consultation. Be sure to relax and do the things that bring you joy. Last December I was hiking in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador and this year I do not know which U.S. National Parks will be open. But I am certain of this – I will celebrate Winter Solstice 2020 by participating in rejuvenating activities like meditating and hiking with friends on the beautiful trails in Southern California. How will you rejuvenate your body and mind during the holidays? Let me know by writing a comment below.
Mindful Career Guide 