The holiday season is a stressful time for most everyone, especially with all that is occurring in 2021. The combination of year-end work with having to shop, decorate, and all that this season entails can prove overwhelming. Unfortunately, for some people, the solution is to stop looking for new employment in December and pick up the job search again later in January.
This decision to delay your job search activities in order to balance the seasonal stress does not truly solve the issue. Not only that but may also prove disastrous for finding a new position. There are so many reasons not to pause your job search, but here are just a few that I would like to highlight for you:
- Momentum is Lost: A job search tends to build upon itself, especially when it comes to networking and lead prospecting. There is a snowball-like effect to the work that you put in. A pause of any significant length in these sourcing activities generally means you are starting from virtual scratch when things are picked up again.
- December Can Be Hot: You are probably head scratching over this one. How can December be hot in Western New York? What I mean is the job market can be very strong in December. Many employers are starting to post positions that are new in their 2022 budget, or want current positions placed in order to start the new year at full capacity. There can also be fewer job seekers in December, as some people decide to sit out the holiday season and, therefore, leave the prime new opportunities for savvy job seekers like yourself.
- Natural Networking: Networking is a large part of generating leads on open positions. The holiday season is a natural time to reach out to old co-workers and acquaintances, as to not only connect with them over potential job openings, but also issue heartfelt holiday wishes.
So, now that you are convinced to keep your job search moving in December, my recommendation is that you tackle the stress issue head-on in. Do this in a way that allows you to feel like you have some balance while still continuing your job search. The following is just a small sampling of ideas for you to consider when addressing stress:
- Stay Connected to Family and Friends: It is easy to dive so far into your To Do list that you leave out needed daily social contact with others. So, why not build that into your list also? Schedule some time to reach out to others, as this exercise may also prove beneficial to your job networking efforts.
- Take Care of Yourself: Self-care is critical when managing stress, so getting a good allotment of sleep, eating well, and exercising can do wonders. If you participate in activities such as yoga or mediation, then continue to do so. You will probably also find that it better readies you for the interviews that you participate in during this time.
- Give Yourself “Me” Time: Beyond what is noted above, do activities that will serve to stimulate and energize you. Besides exercise, this may include watching a favorite TV show, playing a game or two, continuing with a hobby – anything that takes your mind temporarily off what you have going on.
- Say “No” When Necessary: The ongoing theme of this article is to do things in balance and moderation in order to continue with your job search during the holidays. In order to do this, then communicating a “No” to people (at times) may be necessary. This may be a holiday party (assuming that you are sure it won’t be a networking goldmine), or a day-out fighting the crowds shopping (online may be quicker and cheaper for you). By cutting back on some activities will allow you to continue moving your job search along.
It is tough to balance everything that a person has going on in life. If a person is seeking new employment, however, it is critical that the momentum gained during a job search is not lost because of a seasonal pause in activities. With a few slight tweaks to your day and the knowledge that everything must be done in balance, you may find yourself entering 2022 with the new position that you have been dreaming of. This thought is much better than dusting off your job search files and starting over in January.
As always, the best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at: Joe Stein
