Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Take advantage of OTHER peoples' new year's resolutions – keep at your job hunt during the holidays

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2010.4129504084_45b9f63eac_mIt seems that the general consensus is that driving your job search bus straight through the holidays is a good idea. Today, I’m happy to share some thoughts from Ronnie Ann, an advisor who blogs at Work Coach Cafe. We got acquainted on Twitter, and I really enjoy reading her posts and tweets. So, I was glad that she had some ideas to share about job searching during the holidays.

These are Ronnie Ann’s ideas about holiday job searching…

I’m so happy you’re writing about this, Miriam. Through the years, I’ve heard people say it’s not worth looking for jobs as we get into December and the holiday season. Well, I think it’s exactly the right time to be looking…in all meanings of that word.

It’s true that many employers may wait until the new year to post a new job, but at any given time there are still jobs that need to be filled ASAP. And since so many people hold back from looking at all during this time, you may have an even better chance applying for any jobs that do get posted. Less competition can be a good thing! You only need to find one job to make it worthwhile, right? It’s at least worth a try.

But here’s my favorite part. Even in tough times, people will make New Year’s resolutions to quit their old jobs in 2010 and find new ones. So this is exactly the right time to get a jump on the crowd and start planting those networking seeds – your best chance at finding a great job.

And the holiday season is a golden opportunity for networking. There are more parties and chances to connect. In fact, in my own career, I once decided to switch from the private to non-profit sector, and when I met someone at a holiday party who worked in non-profit, I casually mentioned what I was thinking about. Well…he got me to someone who got me to someone else – and long story short – I found what I was looking for!

Don’t forget – casually is the operative word;  you don’t want to look like you’re all about you. Listening and NOT being in “sell-yourself mode” is the key to good networking. (For my favorite tip on networking you might enjoy reading: The Simplest Job Networking Tip of All.)

As I see it, now is always the exactly the right time to start looking. Good luck!

Don’t miss the rest of the series and advice from many of my colleagues:

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by toettoet

Unplug and embrace rest

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unplug3101369956_6e0a9d523b_mIn an effort to convince you to ramp up your job search efforts during the holidays (look below for links to part 1,  2 and 3),  I’m sharing ideas and insights from some of my colleagues and friends during this holiday week and next. Since it is Thanksgiving, I wanted to share some words of wisdom from my friend and co-leader of the Career Collective – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. Jacqui is a well-respected resume writer; her business is Career Trend.

Jacqui has become a good friend and trusted colleague after we originally “met” via Twitter. I always look forward to our conversations and am so happy to have opportunities to collaborate with her. So, when I saw Jacqui tweet this the day before Thanksgiving, I thought it would make a perfect Thanksgiving post in the midst of my series encouraging you NOT to slow down your job hunt during the holidays:

take tomorrow off

I agree! While it is important to keep at the job hunt during this time of the year, taking some time off to recharge (by UNplugging!) and rejuvanate is important. In fact, another trusted career advisor and friend, Marci Alboher, author and expert on career issues and workplace trends and Senior Fellow for Civic Ventures, suggested taking time off your job hunt right around the major holidays when people are not likely to be in the office. If there is ever a day to focus on yourself and your family (and eating a good meal, hopefully), Thankgiving is it.

Wishing everyone a restful, peaceful and very Happy Thanksgiving!

Are you relaxing or revving up your job hunt during the holidays? Share in the comments!

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by rogue 3W