The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs

If you use the Internet for any reason these days (like a job search?), you can’t help but notice all the advice swirling around on how to capitalize on this holiday season for your job search.

Sure, you can find all kinds of networking events to attend – professional and personal; some employers may still be hiring this year and you don’t want to miss out, so submit that resume now; stay up-to-date on your LinkedIn discussions and professional Tweets; research new industries that may get government grants in 2010 and will need to hire, so be ready – and on and on. Getting dizzy? I know I am just watching these info clouds race by – and as a career coach, I’ve been spouting off some these things myself!

But let’s get real. What’s most important right now?

Of course, paying the bills and putting food on the table take priority. Hopefully, you’re still able to do that. Some traditional, seasonal temporary jobs are still available (e.g., UPS) if you hurry. But if you are getting by – however weak you’re safety net is – I suggest taking a break from full time job search this month.

“Whoa! What’s wrong with her?” I can hear you all say. Pleeeez, I’m not advocating total irresponsibility here, just taking a break. If you’ve been laid off for any period of time, you are fully aware of how all the money matters pile up. Either you’re staying on top of it now or you’re not. A one-month job search break is probably not going to make a big difference. So stop worrying, OK?

Instead of busting your chops on your job search during this traditional month of giving, devote the time to self-care – give to yourself!

I recommend spending this month renewing your energy and your spirit. Get reacquainted with who you are as a person. Discover what it is about life that you love. Engage in the activities that will help you like yourself better, build your self-confidence, and strengthen your resolve to attack this job search process again in January – full steam ahead!

Mindful of cost, here’s a brief self-care list to get you started. But don’t just use mine – make your own. Self-care is only meaningful if done on your terms – do stretch a little, please:

1. Read that book you’ve wanted to open, but just couldn’t find the time. Use your public library instead of a bookstore to find it.
2. Call a friend and set a date to meet for coffee. Promise yourself you won’t mention your job search (good or bad) at any time while you’re together.
3. Schedule time with your partner to play – you fill in the “how.” Again, no job search talk allowed. Give all your attention to him/her unconditionally.
4. Find a new place to walk your dog or jog – even if you have to drive a few miles to get there. The new sights and sounds will open your mind to nature’s gifts to you.
5. Listen – really listen – to your children as they share their life stories. See them in a new light as real people, not just as your kids. Amazing people, aren’t they?
6. Start a journal of your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams. No, this isn’t corny. Once on paper things take on a new perspective. You don’t have to share this with anyone.
7. Sing songs in the shower or car – who cares if someone hears you? Belt them out!
8. Seek out opportunities for belly laughs – those uncontrollable, hard-to-breathe, tears-in-the-eyes kind. They are so soul cleansing and make you feel truly alive.
9. Befriend someone less fortunate than you. Give something small to make them feel appreciated. Yes, believe it or not, there are people worse off than you. (Even a canned item to the food pantry can uplift you in the spirit of giving.)
10. Attend the worship services of your choice and enjoy being part of a community that shares its spirituality.
11. Invite a gathering of friends to celebrate the holidays with you – potluck style and no gifts.

I hope my list helps you get going. Just remember, your goal is to enrich yourself by giving non-materially to you as well as to others. If you really can’t let go of your job search for the entire month, try doing so for a couple of weeks. Believe me, the shift in your focus will do wonders for healing your mojo, rebuilding your self-esteem, and getting you motivated for tackling the new year’s challenges, whatever they may be.

SPECIAL NOTE: I am honored to be a member of the Career Collective, a group of career experts who will each month share their advice and tips to enhance the management of your career. Please link to their blog posts below. And follow our hashtag #careercollective on Twitter:

 

 

@MartinBuckland, Elite Resumes, "Season’s Greetings and your Job Search”

@GayleHoward, The Executive Brand, It's Christmas: And a ho-ho-ho-hum?" 

@KCCareerCoach, Career Chaos, “The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs"

@resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog,“Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob”

@heathermundell, life@work, “Have a Holly Jolly Job Search”

@sweetcareers,Sweet Careers, “Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009″

@careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers”

@careerealism, CAREEREALISM.com, “Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism”

@heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, “4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting”

@LaurieBerenson, Sterling Career Concepts, “Three Resolutions to Take It Up a Notch”

@KatCareerGal, Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, “Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search”

@WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithillness.com, “Avoid this Minefield: No Holiday Here!”

@DawnBugni, “The Write Solution Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays?”

@andyinnaples, “Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time”

@erinkennedycprw, Professional Resume Services, “How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays”

@keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, “Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year”

@ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, “Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search”

@GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, “Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?”

@BarbaraSafani, Career Solvers, “Holiday Networking Can Facilitate New Year Opportunities”

@expatcoachmegan, Career By Choice Blog, “Expat Networking: Holidays Are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow Your Network”

@chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints & Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays”

@JobHuntOrg, Job-Hunt.org, "(Holiday) Party Your Way to a New Job"

Comments

[gl hoffman]

Nice and very well said practical list to help people during this season. We all need encouragement and positive energy and Meg, you bring it every day. Have a great holiday yourself.
You help many more people than you think.

[Megan Fitzgerald]

Meg,

The job search combined with the busy holidays = more stress! Self-care should be a part of every job seekers regimen - this is an important message for job seekers throughout the year!

Happy holidays!

Megan

[Rosa Elizabeth Vargas]

Meg,

Taking time to reenergize for a more effective job search and healing the mind, body. and soul is so essential. Fantastic! Thanks for reminding us to stop and smell the roses...

Best,

Rosa

[Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter]

Meg,
I just love this post!

The holidays are replete with hype it seems -- we are asking of ourselves and of others near Herculean efforts and results. In writing this post, you have gently and firmly led us all full circle back to the intention of the holidays -- rest, nourishment, time with family, friends, to be alone with one's thoughts, to absorb oneself in a good book, to escape for just a bit.

To heal.

Thank you for your wonderfully thoughtful contribution to this month's career collective.

Jacqui

[Career Sherpa]

Meg,
You rebel, you! Advising them to take time off! Love it. Your practical suggestions for self help are so important and you are so in touch with the real financial issues of long-term unemployment. Your recommendation of nurturing will re-energize them for the New Year!
Happy Holidays!

[Executive Resume Writer]

Meg,

I love this. You are right. Now is the time to enjoy family, friends and festivities. Even if out of work, it doesn't cost a thing to visit a sick relative or schedule a coffee date with a friend you've neglected lately.

I think I am going to take this advice myself. :)

Erin

[Rosalind Joffe]

Who doesn't believe they're entitled to a little "self care" but who does it? Especially with the pressure of looking for work?

I'm printing your list and taking it to heart. Now, just have to find a new route to walk the dog....:)

[Jim Edwards]

Holiday Job Hunting: Fact & Fiction


The Quiz & Answers

Please indicate “Fact” or “Fiction” for each of the statements below.

1. There is less competition for jobs in December.

Fact. Competition for positions is greatly reduced because of the prevailing belief that employers don’t
hire in December. Most of your competitors will not be looking for a job this month but look out in
January! Many job seekers get offers they wouldn’t ordinarily get by looking in December.

2. There are only a few positions open in December.

Fiction. For most companies, next year’s budget is already approved. Hiring managers either want to
start the year with full staff or have requisitions for positions that begin immediately after the New
Year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys show no pattern of a drop-off in permanent hires at year-
end. In fact, most companies have the same number of openings at year-end as they do the rest of the
year but they have fewer candidates. There may also be pressure to exhaust this year’s hiring budget.

3. January is the strongest hiring month of the year.

Fact. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, January is the strongest hiring month of the year.
Remember, it’s the legwork done in November and December that puts job seekers in a better position
to snag the first-of-the-year positions.

4. Hiring managers are too busy during the holidays to do interviews.

Fiction. Fewer business trips and daylong meetings take place in December making it easier to reach
decision makers. Most managers have reached their goals and are at their desks planning for the New
Year. Managers could also have tips of positions that will open after the first of the year.

5. Calls to potential employers are not welcome during the holidays.

Fiction. For most of the year, managers strive to screen the tide of job hunters coming their way. At
year-end, however, that tide has thinned and hiring managers are in a more giving mood. The best time
to call is first thing in the morning and late afternoon. By mid-day they are likely to be roaming the
halls or taking longer lunch breaks.

6. Holiday parties are great places to get job leads.

Fact. Of course, you have to have your strategy well planned. Collect your holiday presents early by
requesting job leads and referrals from your friends. Be company and department specific in your
request naming your target company and the specific department. Get names, numbers, and permission
to mention your contact’s name in the initial call. Appearing desperate is a downer for everybody.
Engage in some relaxed conversation about job openings.

Make appointments with willing friends and acquaintances for coffee or other short social meetings to
discuss your search. Have your 90-second commercial ready along with a 60 second description of
your ideal job. (See the “Tools” handout for more information.)

7. Sending Holiday greeting cards is a waste of time.

Fiction. Use your holiday cards to update friends, associates, and family on your current status. An
upbeat note in the card will start your phone ringing. Expanding your list of card recipients will put
your name in front of more people, possibly some that you will see at holiday parties.

8. December is a good month to take time off from a job search.

Fiction. The prevailing concept is that companies don’t hire during the holidays. Fact: they do!!
Taking yourself out of the game shrinks the pool of candidates and gives someone else the edge.

9. Traveling during the holidays stops a job search.

Fiction. Okay, it’s a trick question. If you are already interviewing with a prospective employer, taking
a trip is a great reason to call the hiring manager with your contact information. Another possibility is
that your travels may take you to one of your target locations. How about calling potential employers
ahead of time to set up visits?

10. Taking a temporary holiday job is a bad idea.

Fact & Fiction. Taking a temp job to fill the dwindling coffers could be necessary. Selecting that job is
important. Many retail jobs will end after the rush and you’ve taken yourself off of the market at a
critical time. Temp jobs with companies that are on your hit list or if the work closely matches your
preferences and skills could be a great idea. Companies are hiring “temp to perm” more often these
days.

[Gayle Howard]

Fantastic post Meg. A different perspective from some and yet how right it is for many people to take a short revitalization break! Fear and stress can be so wearing in the job search and it can weigh heavily on your outlook and health! Sometimes life has a funny way of making people take breaks whether they want to or not, so probably better to do it on your own terms than to have it forced on you at an inopportune moment. Terrific post.

[Dawn Bugni]

What great ideas to re-energize and recharge! I find too, that taking focus off of a problem usually helps an answer emerge. When we try too hard, we block out own forward progression. A change in venue, attitude and approach is sure to sprout some great ideas.