Job search during the holidays

Are you super busy in the lead up to the Christmas and New Year holidays?

It’s easy to get lulled by the warm sun and chaos of the holidays to lose track of your goal of finding a job or changing jobs or careers.

Don’t let external circumstances, the holidays, the weather, family, friends or anything hinder you in your job search. It’s not easy I know, however even if you do something each day, you will get there.

Many job seekers do slow down and take a break at this time of year, but if you keep going, you will be one step ahead. What sort of things can you do?

Prepare your resume

Now is the time to polish your resume. Has it been updated recently? If you haven’t had much luck with it, take it off the job boards and refresh it, tweak it a little. Post it up again in 1-2 weeks with a fresh look and new material.

Update your skills

• Check out the job advertisements. Is there a type of job/industry/skill that is in demand? Could you do a course to learn that skill?
• Get some training in a new skill
• Get some on-the-job training in your new skill through volunteering. Don’t you think that some experience using your new skill is better than none?
• Therefore while job searching, practice your new skill and update your resume to highlight your resourcefulness and your newly gained experience.

Network at your holiday events

Networking can be done at any function where you meet people, the holiday period is no exception. In normal conversation you can ask what other people do, and you can tell them what you do.

Exchange contact information with new people and keep in touch via phone, email or social media. Let people know you are looking for a new job. Even at family parties you may hear of jobs through unlikely people, like Grandma. You never know, she may have a lead for you!

Of course it does depend upon your particular family situation. If discussing such things in a family setting opens up a can of worms and leads to unsolicited advice from your family members, then there may be a subtler way of fishing for information about job prospects without saying that you are the one that is doing the seeking.

You could say that you know people who are looking for jobs such as a friend or colleague. See where the conversation leads, is there work in a particular industry, town, state, country?

Information Interviews

Never had one of these? Then it’s time you try.

Call someone you know who works at a particular company, in a particular industry or profession and ask for an information interview.

If you are granted an interview, ask them how they got to where they are today. What sort of skills and experience is looked upon favourably? Don’t harass for a job, this is for information only!

You could also try to contact people you don’t know, though this is harder to do. You may also be granted an interview, though you may need to make a lot of calls before someone says “yes”.

All in all, every little action step will bring you closer to getting a new job or be on your way to changing careers in the in the coming year!

Now is the time to seek help with your job search so that your efforts are most effective. A Career Coaching session will enable you to formulate and put into place an Action Plan to focus your energies, An up to date and targeted Resume will be your best bet to get the attention of the Recruiters and Hiring Managers.

Give the office a call on 1300 923 000 to organise a Career Coaching session or new Resume with Maria Cordi, our CIRCLE Career Coach.

Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.