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How to Use the Holiday Season to Shift Your Mindset

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For many people, the holiday season is a time filled with joy, laughter, and of course, a fair bit of distraction. For some, it’s a mixed bag of emotions, particularly if they have suffered some sort of loss. For the job seeker, it can be a time of uncertainty–and possibly even discouragement if you’ve been between jobs or careers for a while. Do you continue applying for jobs over the holidays? Or do you take a break and unwind?

Actually, either option is a great one. As I’ve shared in years past, the holiday season can actually be a great time to find work, or you can use the time to unwind and recharge your batteries, so to speak. But one thing I’d like to suggest this year, especially if you are feeling some weariness with your job search: let this season be an opportunity to shift your mindset. In other words, take some time to get a clear perspective on things and renew your resolve.

What’s a Mindset Shift?

First off, let’s break down what we mean by a “mindset shift.” It’s a change in how you view and approach a situation. In the context of your job search, it means stepping away from viewing it as a daunting task and instead seeing it as a journey of self-improvement and growth. The benefits of such a shift are numerous – increased motivation, better focus, and a more positive outlook on the whole process.

Here’s why this is so important: when you’ve been grinding away at your job search for some time, it can begin to wear on your emotions and your outlook–especially if you’ve faced a number of rejections. Your mind may begin a pattern of “negative reinforcement” where you’re just going through the motions, but you begin to expect more rejections. You have less confidence in getting hired.

And the problem is–that shows. Without meaning to, you may be conveying an unspoken vibe to the job interviewer, whether it’s a sense of desperation or of rejection, and it makes it more likely that they’re going to seek a candidate who is more confident and enthusiastic.

Another way of looking at it is this: Whatever you believe about yourself, you’re right. If you convey to a job interviewer that you genuinely believe in yourself and that you’re the right candidate for the job, they are more likely to believe in you, too. If, however, you go into an interview with a negative outlook and expecting rejection, you’re more likely to get exactly what you believe.

That’s when it’s time to work on your mindset. And the holiday break offers you a perfect opportunity to do so.

Tips for Renewing a Positive Mindset Through the Holidays

If you’ve been feeling run down in the job search and you want to make the most of the holiday season to start fresh in the new year, here are some tips that will help.

  • Take a Break from the Job Search. Seriously. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away for a bit. It might seem counterproductive, but giving your mind a rest can actually give you a boost in the long run.
  • Practice Self-Care. This could be anything from taking a hot bath to going for a run to meditation. The point is to do something that makes you feel good and helps relieve stress.
  • Reach Out to Your Network. Feeling isolated can make you feel down and discouraged, especially at the holidays. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or professional contacts for support–even if it’s just to vent. Conversely, if someone in your network could use some help and encouragement, look for ways to lend support, not just receive it.
  • Set Small, Achievable Goals. Instead of focusing on landing a job, concentrate on the steps it takes to get there–such as polishing your resume, working on your Linkedin profile, etc. Each step you accomplish is a victory in itself.
  • Stay Active. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are known as “feel-good” hormones. Regular exercise can help keep your spirits up during challenging times.
  • Try Something New. Consider taking a class or starting a hobby. These activities can provide a welcome distraction, and you might pick up some new skills along the way. Or consider volunteering for something you’re passionate about—it feels good to give back.
  • Celebrate Your Achievements. Any victory, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Applied for a job? Great! Updated your resume? Fantastic! These are all positive steps forward.
  • Speak Affirming Statements to Yourself. Out loud. In front of a mirror. It may feel weird at first, especially if your brain is filled with self-loathing thoughts. But saying positive things about yourself can help boost your self-confidence and shift your mindset in a more positive direction. And as you hear yourself say it, you’ll start to believe it.
  • Tap Into the Joy of the Season. Take time to enjoy the holiday season, whatever that means to you. Whether it’s watching your favorite Christmas movie or baking cookies with loved ones, these moments can bring a sense of joy and happiness that can positively impact your mindset.

Remember, it’s perfectly okay to feel weary sometimes. Job searching is a journey with ups and downs, but with the right mindset, you’ll come out stronger on the other side. Keep pushing forward, my friend! You’ve got this.

And remember, if you are looking for more in-depth help in landing the job you want, I’m available, even during this season. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, just click here to access my calendar. Happy Holidays!

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Keeping Spirits Bright: Tips for Recharging During the Holiday Season

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The holidays can be a stressful time of year, especially if you’re currently involved in a job search. While not everyone suffers from this, the “holiday blues” are a real thing; it’s well-documented that rates of depression often increase this time of year. And with the added pressure of buying gifts and dealing with family obligations while trying to land a job, it is easy to get overwhelmed.

But here’s some good news; you don’t have to buy into this stress. Even in the midst of difficulties, the natural “down time” of the holiday season presents the opportunity to hit the “reset” button. If you take advantage of this opportunity to recharge, you can set yourself up to come back even stronger after the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Make Time for Self-Care 

It might sound trite, but the priniciple works: when things start to feel overwhelming, take some time to focus on yourself. This might mean taking a long bath, going for a walk, or reading a book—whatever helps you relax and recharge your batteries. Set aside some time each day to do something that brings you joy. Doing this won’t necessarily take away the stressors in your life, but it will create some space and perspective so you can deal with the stressors more productively.

Stay Connected 

If you’re feeling down or discouraged, one common impulse is to withdraw from social activities, friends, or family. But actually, this can create loneliness, which can make the problem worse–not to mention spending too much time alone can cause you to develop some unhealthy feedback loops in the mind as you try to “work out” your troubles, causing you to lose perspective. To combat this, try to resist the urge to withdraw and use the holiday season as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family members, both those who are near and those who live far away. Try setting up regular video calls or sending thoughtful texts throughout the season. This will help keep in touch with those you care about, even if you can’t be together in person. Plus, having someone to talk to can help boost your mood when you start to feel down.

Keep the Job Search Going

Seriously. Don’t assume that prospective employers don’t want to talk to you just because it’s the holidays. As we shared in this post from the past, many employers continue to hire right through the end of the year, and since a lot of job seekers DO call off their search during the holidays, there will be less competition for those job openings, so your odds of getting hired actually go up! You can also continue networking online by attending virtual networking events or joining an online job search group on social media where other people may have helpful advice or leads on new openings. 

One important point: if you’re genuinely tired and want to take a break from job searching during the holidays, that’s okay, too. Don’t feel guilty about that; do what’s best for you. But if you have the desire and the energy, there’s no reason why you can’t keep applying for work during the holiday season–and there may even be some advantages in doing so.

Reset the Calendar and Make a Plan

As the end of the year approaches, I like to take some time to reflect on the past year, tie up loose ends, and sort of “close the chapter” on the old year. Then I start thinking about what’s ahead for the new year and start planning fresh strategies. I’d recommend you take a similar approach. (I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions–I’m talking about setting goals for your job search.) Take an inventory of what you did this past year. Acknowledge what you did that worked for you, and think about how to implement those things in the new year. Also be honest what didn’t work so you know what changes you need to make. Even if you don’t emerge with a hugely detailed strategy, the simple act of saying “goodbye” to the old year and “hello” to the new one helps put you in a healthy mindset so you’ll emerge into the new year with fresh energy and purpose.

Finally, no matter what challenges life throws at you during the holiday season, it is important to remember that it won’t last forever! By taking care of yourself physically and mentally, staying connected with others, and staying engaged, you can remain positive despite any difficulties you may be facing this season. And by taking a little time to make a plan for next year, you can approach the new year ready to take on the world again. So take a deep breath—you’ve got this!

As always, I’m here to help if you need deeper assistance with your career search and landing the job you want. Just click here to access my calendar and set up a free 30-minute consultation.

Happy Holidays!

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Tips for Maintaining Your Job Search During the Holiday Season

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The holiday season may be “the most wonderful time of the year”—but that doesn’t necessarily make it easy. For some, it’s a particularly stressful time due to the pressures of family expectations, buying gifts and fitting all those holiday parties into the schedule. If you’re in between jobs, these pressures can be amplified. You might be telling yourself (as many others do) that the holiday season is “down time” for employers, that no one is hiring, no one is looking at your resume….blah, blah, blah.

People who really believe the holiday season is a “slow” time of year haven’t paid attention to the traffic. Why do you suppose everyone out there is so stressed? Everyone is out doing stuff. Business is going on. And yes, employers are still hiring this time of year.

My point? If you’re committed to the job search, the holiday season is the time you don’t want to slow down. If nothing else, you’ve got less competition because of all those other people who stopped looking for work by making the same assumptions you did! You may have to change your strategy up a little bit, but there’s no reason the holidays have to put a damper on your job search. Here are some tips to make the most of this time of year when looking for work.

Stay in the Moment

Many job seekers start disengaging mentally from the hunt around Thanksgiving without even realizing it. Avoid this temptation; stay engaged. Assume companies are still hiring, keep working your job leads, keep scheduling those interviews. Remember, a lot of job seekers have left the marketplace because they assumed the holidays were slow. If you stay in the game when others drop out, your chances of getting hired are significantly higher. It’s plain old mathematics.

Use Holiday Parties as an Opportunity to Network

Yes, technically holiday parties aren’t the place to “talk shop,” but if you listen to the conversations, chances are that’s exactly what people are doing—because what else are they going to talk about? Be sensitive to the moment—you don’t want to break the festive spirit by being overbearing—but it’s completely appropriate to mention during your party conversations that you’re looking for work. Networking happens all the time, even when people aren’t doing it on purpose. Don’t miss the opportunities to network casually during these parties—you never know what opportunities will turn up.

Expand Your Holiday Card List

The holidays are a perfect excuse to “ping” potential employers, networking contacts and recruiters with a holiday greeting. It’s a great way to keep your name top-of-mind because holiday cards aren’t considered invasive. They’re expected. Take advantage of this opportunity to stay connected.

Make Use of Any Extra Time

If you’re doing a job search while still employed somewhere else, if you experience a slowdown at work, use that down time to your advantage by scheduling more interviews and doing more online networking. Again, don’t assume these places aren’t hiring; instead, consider the possibility that other firms are also experiencing a slowdown, and therefore they may actually have more time to talk to you!

Target Temp Jobs Where Appropriate

Depending on what type of work you do, some firms actually hire extra seasonal help over the holidays. If you get on as a seasonal employee and work your heart out, you may be able to parlay that opportunity into a permanent position after the holidays. Keep a sharp eye out for any companies on your hot list that are hiring seasonally, and don’t disqualify yourself from these opportunities.

Now, if you want to take the holidays off from your job search, be my guest. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t use the holiday season as an excuse not to try. With a bit of creative thinking, you can carry on an effective job search any time of year, including the holidays. If you want some extra help coming up with a strategy, that’s why I’m here. Shoot me an email at terrylynn@giraffesconsulting.com, or call me at 646-320-1126. We’ll set up a free 30-minute appointment to talk about your goals.

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Why You Shouldn’t Call Off the Job Search During the Holidays

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With the holiday season well underway and the end of the year now in sight, many job seekers decide to call off the job search until after the holidays. Everyone is distracted right now, they tell themselves. Businesses aren’t hiring. No one cares about adding staff. I’m too busy with my own family stuff. Nothing is going to happen until the New Year, anyhow. The list of excuses goes on.

If you’ve been tempted to join the masses in taking a break from your job search, I have some free advice for you: Don’t.

Don’t stop the job search. Seriously.

For the serious job seeker, the holiday season may actually be your most advantageous time to seek employment. Here are a few reasons why.

Employers Are Still Hiring

The idea that most places stop hiring at the holidays is a myth. If you don’t believe me, go to LinkedIn and Indeed and take a look at how many jobs relevant to your skill set were posted in the past week alone. The fact is, depending on the type of business, some companies actually need more help this time of year. They might stop scheduling interviews for a couple of days before and after Christmas and New Year’s, but that’s about it. Otherwise, the job market is very nearly as open as it was a month ago.

You Have Less Competition

Aside from the fact that companies still hiring—and possibly even need more staff—remember that a lot of your competition has stopped actively seeking work. Why? Because they made all those excuses we mentioned at the beginning of the article! If you stay in the game when everyone else drops out, your odds of getting hired go up dramatically.

Temp Jobs Often Turn Permanent after the New Year

If you’re worried that only temporary jobs are available right now, don’t be. A temp job often leads to a permanent hire after the holidays. If your only current offer is a temp job in your field of interest, you’ve got nothing to lose by taking it. Do your best work, and they might keep you around—and even if they don’t, you’re a little richer and no worse off than you were before the holidays.

You Need to Maintain Your Own Momentum

Even if none of the other things were true—and they are—the last thing you need personally is to use the holidays as an reason to lose momentum in your job search. It’s much easier to push a boulder that is already rolling than one that is stopped. You’ve already put a lot of effort into getting yourself moving on the job search the first time; it’s even more difficult to stop and start again. If for nothing else, keep the job search going for your own sense of movement.

Why take the holidays off from your job search when you just might land the best present ever? There’s really no excuse not to keep applying, and if you do get hired, the new year is already looking up for you. You can still enjoy the actual holidays with your family and friends; just stay in the game in the meantime. If you’d like more strategic help with your search, shoot me an email at terrylynn@giraffesconsulting.com, or give me a call at 646-320-1126.

 

 

 

 

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Holiday Weekends and “Down Times”—Maximizing Your Job Search When Employers Aren’t Paying Attention

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When you’re gainfully employed, the long holiday weekends around Memorial Day and Labor Day are a breath of fresh air. When you’re trying to conduct a job search, however, these long weekends might feel more like an annoyance—even a hindrance. You are highly motivated to go on interviews, you’re chasing down job leads left and right, but no one in those offices is interested in having those conversations right now. “Let’s set something up after Labor Day,” they tell you casually—two weeks before the end of August.

Grrr.

You can’t really blame them. It’s a natural impulse for employers to wind down certain office activities in advance of a holiday weekend, mainly because they don’t want the holiday to interrupt the flow of a project. This time of year can be particularly challenging for job seekers because many people take their summer vacations in late July or August, and they typically don’t start focusing on work again in earnest until after Labor Day weekend. It’s just part of the natural ebb and flow of the work cycle. Of course, you don’t share their cavalier approach to work because being unemployed, you have a sense of urgency that these companies just don’t have right now.

Here’s the good news: Despite how it might feel right now, you’re not at the mercy of these potential employers, nor do you need to just sit around and wait for them to get interested in your resume. Here are some practical ways for you to redeem the “down time.”

Organize Your Leads

When you’re busy pounding the pavement, so to speak, it’s easy to forget whom you called, when you called them and what you said. Take advantage of this time by recalling those previous conversations and getting clear in your mind where you are in the application process. If you haven’t done so already, consider setting up a spreadsheet listing companies where you’ve applied or plan to apply, making note of whom you’ve spoken with at those firms and where they are in the consideration process.

Lay Your Plans

Another good use of your time right now is to scour the Internet for additional job openings—places where you haven’t yet applied for work who are looking for someone with your skills. As slow as the summer months can be, the fall can be an excellent time to kick your job search into high gear. Add these to your spreadsheet, update your resume and make a schedule so you can hit the ground running by reaching out as soon as people are back in the office.

Update Your Skill Set

Are there any new technologies or software programs you need to learn in association with your skill set? Any credentials or certifications that need updating? Now is the time to brush up on any possible gaps in your career training. Do some online study or borrow some books from the library if need be. Just take some time to make sure you’re ready for any exams you might need to take after the holiday weekend, or that you’re at least familiar with any software you might need to know when you land your next position.

Take a Break

Admittedly, if you’ve been out of work for more than a few weeks, you might not particularly feel like taking a long weekend for yourself and the family. But considering how hard you’ve been working on the job hunt, you need the down time as much as the next person. (Remember, a job search is work—it’s just not paid work yet.) Once you’ve made your preparations, take time for yourself. Give yourself permission to relax. Those job leads will be waiting for you after Labor Day, and you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle them.

Besides…if your efforts are to be successful, you need to rest up now. You’ll soon be busier than you know. Want some extra support in landing your dream job or career? “Fill out the Get In Touch” form on the right for a FREE 30-minute consultation with me.

 

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Four Tips to Celebrate the Holidays on a Budget

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Let’s be honest: The holiday season can be particularly challenging for people who are between jobs and/or changing careers. When extra money is scarce and you can’t buy as many gifts for family and friends as you like, it’s easy to feel demoralized. We tell ourselves the holidays aren’t about money or things, but knowing that doesn’t always change the way we feel.

However, if this season is financially tight for you, there are plenty of alternatives for celebrating with your family without spending money you don’t have or going deep into debt for gifts you really can’t afford right now. The key is to make the season less about things and more about experiences that you can share together. Here are 3 fun tips for enjoying affordable holiday activities with your family or friends this year.

1. Check Out Local Community Events

You can find free or cheap community events to attend in almost every town or city in America this time of year, from city-hosted parades to special plays and choir performances at local houses of worship. Check your local paper or the Internet for holiday happenings in your area, and select a few to attend with the family.

*Additional tip*: If you live here in New York City, one great resource I’ve found is Club Free Time, a membership-based website that lists a huge number of free cultural and entertainment events every day across the city, plus provides free or dirt-cheap tickets to everything from Broadway shows to concerts at Carnegie Hall. For an annual fee of less than $20, you can have access to this list not just at the holidays, but year-round.

2. Host a Holiday Movie Night

You can’t go wrong with holiday movies, and there are hundreds of them available, either free at streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, or available to rent for a small fee. (Each streaming service usually offers a free trial if you don’t have a subscription; if you don’t stream videos, look for DVDs or Blu-Ray at your neighborhood outlet.) Pick a few of your favorites, pop some popcorn and have a family holiday movie night. Better yet, invite some friends and make it a party!

*Alternative tip*: If you like laughing at the ridiculous, try putting a spin on the evening and making it cheesy holiday movie night. Alongside the classics, nowadays you have more than your pick of straight-to-video holiday flicks!

3. Go Caroling

Caroling is one of those activities that many people avoid for embarrassment reasons, but everyone loves once they break the ice! (Pun intended.) Pick a favorite neighborhood, gather a few friends and go for it!

*Alternative tip*: Instead of going outside, think about scheduling a time to sing carols at a local nursing home. The residents are always grateful for a bit of holiday cheer.

4. Volunteer

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to forget the stress of your own immediate circumstances is to look past yourself to help someone else. (It’s also a great way to get into the holiday spirit.) There’s plenty to do, from wrapping toys for underprivileged tots to serving holiday dinners to those with nowhere else to go. Find a local charity, shelter or soup kitchen and schedule a time for you and the family to volunteer. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.

Regardless of how you observe the holidays, by exercising a bit of imagination, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season with the people you love without breaking the bank in the process. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to take some time for yourself to plan for 2018. This could be your greatest year yet!

Happy Holidays from us at GiraffesConsulting.