If you’re searching for an internship or entry-level job this holiday season, here are some tips to help you be as effective as possible:
- Attend holiday parties. Holiday parties — whether hosted by friends/family or your professional association — are great opportunities for networking. Be sure to remain professional! You should have fun, but note your primary goal is to connect with people who might be able to help with your search.
- Send holiday cards. Mentors, hiring managers, etc. — they should all receive holiday cards. Be sure to handwrite personal notes inside each one. Applied for a position but haven’t heard back yet? Drop the hiring manager a holiday card wishing them seasons greetings — and remind them why you’re a great fit.
- Don’t take a holiday from your search. December is prime time to be searching for a job, so don’t put your hunt on hold! In fact, you might find hiring managers more willing to conduct informational interviews over coffee.
- Complete a short (but intense) “winter internship.” Not everything stops during the holiday season, so this might be your chance to complete a 2-3 week internship at the company of your dreams. Most organizations don’t advertise for these positions, so make a proposal and send it in!
This post is part of the Career Collective effort founded by Miriam Salpeter and Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. Other posts about job hunting during the holidays from the Collective include:
- @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”
- @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: Drive Your Bus”
- @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?”
- @chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints & Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays“
