May Your (Job Seeking) Days Be Merry

Holidays can be tough if you're a job seeker. Whether you've been looking for months or are just starting your search, it's tempting to think that you might as well stop, pick up a large glass of eggnog, and just relax for a while.

Unfortunately, while you might gain a few pounds from the eggnog, you won't be gaining a job. December and January are peak mingling times, and January is a peak hiring time. Most companies have the same amount of positions open in January as they do the rest of the year, but they have less applicants. Here's a couple stress-free tips to help you use the holidays (or, at least what's left of them) to connect with people that will help connect you to jobs.

On the 8th Day of Christmas

Scheduling your job search is important, especially when you'd rather be doing other things. Make a list of all the people you need to contact or follow up with over the next few weeks, and record how your interactions go when you have them. Set aside an area of your house where you'll be doing your job searching, and pick a regular time that you'll be committing an hour or two to your job search every day. Disipline is key.

Stay Positive

It's easy to get overwhelmed on a job search and having twenty friends and family members who want an update on your life doesn't help. What you need to do here as see conversations as an opportunity, not a hassle. Use friends and family as sounding boards, as they often have connections that you might not be aware of.

All I Want for Christmas is YOU

Yes, it is still about who you know. People lead you to jobs, whether that's through sending you a job opening or introducing you to the right people. As hard as it might be, try to be open to job advice and don't be shy about asking for it. People like being asked if you can "pick their brain," and during the holidays is the perfect time to hit people up since everyone is happy and generous.

'Tis the Season

Holiday parties are a great time to connect with old and new friends. Attend as many as you can, and throw your own. Check your local blogs and newspapers for open happy hours and other events that involve the type of crowd that you want to be working with. Bring some business cards, but make it your goal to ask people about themselves and connect with them before handing one over to them.

Holiday Cheer

At parties, be sure to write down leads and notes from your conversation on the back of their business cards when you get them. This will help you follow up later in a way that makes you stand out from all the other people they've been meeting over the past few weeks. Be casual in conversation and make sure that you're upbeat -even if you're not. People can tell when you're down and out, and while your friends will want to comfort you, strangers will back off from extending help with a job search.

Seasons Greetings

This is a great opportunity to send out holiday cards to connect with former employers, coworkers, etc. Usually people know they should reach out to these types of people in their job searches, but they are wary about contacting them out of the blue after months (sometimes years) of no contact. During the holidays, that's completely off the table - in fact, you're expected to give a life update. Be upbeat in your card too, and make sure to include faster contact info than a return address (like your cell and email).

Good luck!

(this blog was cross posted on www.jobs.change.org)