The holidays aren’t just for celebrations—they’re the perfect opportunity for job seekers. While others pause their search, you can stand out by networking, reconnecting with colleagues, and getting ahead of the hiring rush.
From festive events to volunteer opportunities, the season offers low-pressure ways to build relationships and uncover job leads. This post will help you turn holiday cheer into career success!
Maybe what you really want this holiday is a new job. Well, don’t give up! Take advantage the holiday season to reconnect with old friends and enlist help from those who care!
The added bonus? Reconnecting with past colleagues and friends lifts your spirits, which is just what you need!
Hiring Does Happen In December
The time between Thanksgiving and the New Year often sees a hiring slowdown. But it doesn’t mean every company is pausing their hiring.
Some companies try to get a new hire before the budget year ends. Other companies might be waiting for the new year to begin, but are advertising the job now so they’ll be ready to onboard the new employee early in January.
The benefit for you, as a job seeker, is less competition. Many job seekers take a break during the holidays and those who are employed and looking tend to begin their search in January.
Get In A Positive Frame of Mind
Looking for a new job while unemployed over the holidays can dampen your spirits. It’s tough to feel like celebrating when you are without a job. But look at the bright side, you have extra time to do good things to help others. Maybe this is the year you volunteer to help an organization you care about. Or maybe you can spend time helping a friend or family member by watching their children while they shop.
Find activities or opportunities to gather with other people and focus less on your own situation. And seek professional help if you need it.
Holiday Networking Events
From holiday parties to festive gatherings, you’ll find lots of events on your community calendar.
- Professional associations
- Chamber of Commerce
- Job seeking groups
- Neighborhood gatherings
- Family gatherings
- Volunteer organizations and opportunities
- College/University Alumni parties
Check your school’s alumni page, ask friends, look online for events happening near you and find one or two to attend in person. Here are 25+ places to network.
You can always invite a friend to meet you there if you have networking jitters.
Attending An Event? Have Your Pitch Ready
When attending events and even family gatherings, be prepared to answer, “So what do you do?”
Your answer in a social setting doesn’t need to be long or go into great detail. Keep it light and interesting.
As tempting as it is to say you are unemployed, in transition, looking for your next great job – don’t include that in your initial answer. You will probably get asked a follow-up question or be asked who you work for. That’s when you can tell them the types of companies you are interested in working for. Here are some examples that give just enough information:
“I am a technical writer and project manager, meaning I oversee people writing detailed instructions on how to operate machinery so that customers can use it better.”
“I’m the person who makes sure the numbers match up – I’m in accounting.”
“I’m finishing my degree and plan to work in Human Resources when I graduate.”
Remember, your answer is just the beginning of a conversation. Ask them what they do and see what happens next!
Online Holiday Cheer
The holidays are a great time to reconnect with friends and colleagues. Tap into the power of your LinkedIn connections and wish them a happy holiday and new year. Also look for online holiday-themed events on sites like Eventbrite or Meetup sponsored by professional associations.
Using online networking to stay connected and meet new people helps solidify and grow your connections.
Reach Out
The holidays are the perfect excuse to reach out to people and wish them well. Take extra time and effort to add a note with your holiday greeting cards to update people. Stay positive and be specific.
You can even reach out to past colleagues who may have a less busy schedule during the holidays. Ask if they would like to meet for coffee or virtually catch up.
Take Control of Your Holiday Job Search
Take a different approach to your job search strategy for the next month. Hiring decisions may be slow, so don’t read too much into the fact you haven’t gotten an update on your application or interview. Employees are using vacation time and that often makes it tough to reach a timely hiring decision. Do your best to consistently follow up.
Instead, focus on developing relationships. That is something you can control and feel positive about. There are holiday events happening, friends to reconnect with and volunteering to keep you active. Leverage these opportunities to meet new people and put yourself in a better holiday spirit..
With fewer jobs to apply to, you can re-allocate your time.
- Update your marketing plan by adding more target companies.
- Invest time learning a new skill related to your work.
- Learn and use social media.
There are a lot of things you can do that are more productive.
Manage Your Time
Scheduling your time is going to make you feel more productive, too. Try blocking one-hour increments of time in your day and assign networking activities to each block.
This article will help How to Allocate Your Time Wisely
Job Hunting During The Holidays
If you want that new job, the hard truth is that you are going to have to work harder than ever before. But know that just because it’s December doesn’t mean organizations have stopped the hiring process. Use the holidays for relationship-building.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
