7 Job Search Tips for the Holidays

Posted Dec. 3, 2011 at 12:01 a.m. ET

The holidays are a great time of year to help those who are less fortunate while making valuable new connections.

If you are like the majority of people looking for work, you probably have stopped, or radically slowed, your job search efforts during the holidays. After all, you reason, it would be a waste of time since most companies don’t hire between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Right? Actually, you might be surprised to learn the holiday season is a great time to search for a job. Fewer people are looking for work, which means you have a greater chance of being noticed by a hiring manager. How do you get noticed? Follow a few simple tips during the holidays and you could increase your chances of finding your next job.

Tip #1

Attend holiday gatherings and functions with like-minded professionals. While everyone else is talking about the fruit cake, why not talk about something you learned as part of your research into possible career opportunities? Even better: host your own networking party, with the goal of meeting people and expanding relationships.

Keep in mind that a holiday party isn’t the time or place for a hard sell. No one enjoys being cornered. The secret here is to enjoy yourself while making it known that you are interested in connecting with people who may be able to help with your research into area career options. You never know when a casual mention during a conversation may lead to an important introduction later.

Tip #2

Reconnect with people. Send holiday cards or emails, make phone calls, and use LinkedIn or Facebook to send messages to people you know, or have worked with in the past. Doing so shows you have confidence in your abilities, and a nice holiday message could bring your name back into circulation. The secret is to make the tone light and festive. Including a short note that you are interested in meeting for coffee and sharing thoughts about logical next job search steps, with a promise to call to set something up after the holidays, would be appropriate.

Tip #3

Give to others. The holidays are a great time of year to help those who are less fortunate, and many charitable organizations need volunteers to collect donations, serve meals, or help homeless and abandoned animals. Not only will becoming a volunteer help shift your focus to assisting others who are in need, but you may make valuable new connections, too.

Tip #4

Practice telling people about yourself. Admittedly, this is one of the hardest things for most people to do. But being prepared to confidently tell your story in 30 seconds or less, and doing it well, can pay dividends. The secret is to know what you want to say, and doing so in a positive and forward-looking manner. Your goal is to easily and confidently respond whenever anyone asks what it is you do for a living.

For example: “Most recently, I was __(job title)__, responsible for__(1-2 successes)__ at __(company)__. You could say my career has been characterized by my ability to __(organize, lead, etc)__. Like so many others these days, my position was selected to be part of a corporate restructuring because of economic pressures. I am currently researching opportunities that would allow a company to benefit from my ability to __(help others, maximize organizational strengths, etc.)__.”

Your “30-second commercial” also is a good way to tell relatives who you have not seen in some time, that you are open to a new career choice. Rather than telling them you have been laid off, instead say: “This is giving me a great opportunity to….”

Tip #5

Watch your alcohol consumption. Drink too much during a holiday party and you risk making a bad impression on a potential employer.

Tip #6

Create your own luck. Opportunities often come to the people who make their own. Stay active during the holidays and participate every time you have the chance. Often, it is during a casual encounter that we seem to meet the people who can help. You never know when family members, friends, coworkers and those you meet at social events may introduce you to the person who can help with your next job opportunity.

Tip #7

Take care of yourself. The holidays can be stressful, so get plenty of rest, associate with positive-minded people, reward yourself for your successes, be patient and keep a healthy attitude.

Above all, allow yourself to enjoy the holidays this year.

Written by Kevin L. Duncan (Dec. 1, 2011)