1) Seek balance. With party after party after party with sweets, drinks, and extra meals, have you ever craved a good salad over the holidays to put an end to the seemingly endless stomachaches? In the same way, take some time off of your search to spend with loved ones or flat out "me" time. Catch a few movies, sleep in, and enjoy some down time. It is still okay to stay active during the holidays, but with many hiring managers away from the office the response rate may be delayed. So don't feel guilty if you're not online ten hours a day looking for that "perfect" opening.
2) Set goals now. Have you ever noticed how many people use New Year's Resolutions as a crutch to do whatever they want to do over the holidays? Go ahead and put on fifteen pounds because you are going to vow to lose twenty by January 1, right? Why not set a reasonable goal to lose ten pounds in the new year and gain no more than five over the holidays? In the same way, think of where you hope to be with any pending career moves NOW and then generate activity in the coming days and weeks that move you closer to those goals. No sense in waiting.
3) Be thankful for what you have. Instead of asking our kids what they want for Christmas each year we like to remind them what they already have. It makes the idea of asking for everything in the Toys R Us catalog seem a little more ridiculous because they are already reflective on how blessed they truly are. In your job search the first question you should always ask yourself is why am I not happy now? Or better yet, am I happy and I don't even see it since a few things here and there don't go my way. News flash - there is no such thing as the "perfect" job or "perfect" employer. Maybe, just maybe, you should be more focused on how you can make your current situation better before you jump the fence to see if the grass is any greener on the other side.
4) Take time to reflect. I have seen a lot of commercials recently for shows coming up in the next few weeks that are reviewing the year of 2014. If pop culture, music, TV, celebrity news, and world events are all worth reflecting on, isn't your current working situation a good one to think about too? Try to be objective and view things from a 30,000-foot perspective. We always live in the now and sometimes forget to look back to see what has shaped us and led us to where we are now. This is particularly poignant for a job search. Why are you even looking in the first place? How many moves have you made in the past five years? How many of your career goals have you achieved? If you even set goals in the first place.
5) Find a mentor or thank the one you have. I am fortunate to have several people in my life that I can always count on if I am facing a difficult or important decision. Career moves definitely fit into that category. If you don't have this voice of reason to rely on during a job search you might make a move that goes bad and could have been prevented. As a third party recruitment consultant I like to think I fit into that category for my clients and candidates alike. But if you don't have that luxury, lean on the shoulders of those that have gone before you. People that have made mistakes, recovered from them, and have learned something that could be valuable to you. Mentors are ALWAYS willing to provide their wisdom and knowledge.
What other tips have gotten you through the holidays that have coincided with a job search? Have you had something happen recently that would be good for others to know?
Happy holidays to you and yours. I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts through blog over the past year and really look forward to more topics to explore together next year!
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