4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting
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“
GL Hoffman
I love your last point. There are ALWAYS jobs that need to be done. Solve my problem for me, don’t worry about being paid (for now).Great thinking Heather.
Posted 12-10-2009
Megan Fitzgerald
Heather, I think that December is a great time to capitalize on opportunities and you’ve hit on several great ways to do that. Doing a short attachment at a company and pursuing more informational interviews due to slower schedules are great suggestions!Happy Holidays, Megan Fitzgerald
Posted 12-10-2009
Barbara Safani
Heather,The point about holiday internships is excellent. I bet a lot of students overlook this possibility. Great tips!
Posted 12-10-2009
Miriam Salpeter, Keppie Careers
I love the idea of “winter internships.” While taking a break seems reasonable, in today’s competitive market, every experience (and opportunity to meet more people) counts!
Posted 12-11-2009
JP McDermott
Heather – great advice! It is also appropriate for job seekers of all ages. Love your blog!Cheers!https://jp425.wordpress.com
Posted 12-13-2009
Gayle Howard
What I liked about this advice is that the vast majority of it is no-cost and fun. Christmas can be a real drain on expenses so the last thing anyone needs is advice that tells people to spend up big on tools. Simple, no-cost, fun and enjoyable advice… gosh it doesn’t even sound like job hunting!
Posted 12-17-2009