Welcome to Career Essentials, where I share actionable insights and curated articles that will help accelerate your career and supercharge your job search.
Job Searching During the Holidays? Here’s Why It Absolutely Works (And What to Do)
Most job seekers hit pause in December.
That is exactly why you should not.
The holidays give you two big advantages: less competition and more opportunities to reconnect in low-pressure ways. If what you really want this season is a new job, now is the perfect time to build relationships, get noticed, and prepare for a strong January.
Here is how to use the next few weeks to move your job search forward without burning out.
Yes, Hiring Does Happen in December
While decision-making may slow down, companies do not stop hiring. Here is what is actually happening:
Some teams need to fill roles before budgets reset
Others are interviewing now so they can onboard in early January
Many job seekers take a break during the holidays which means you face far less competition
Bottom line: December activity often leads to January offers.
Get Into a Positive Frame of Mind
Job searching during the holidays can feel heavy, especially if you are unemployed. Shift your focus to things that refill your energy:
Volunteer or support a cause you care about
Help a friend or family member with an errand
Join a community or holiday event to get out of the house
And always seek professional support if you are struggling. You do not have to go through this season alone.
Find Holiday Networking Events
This is the season for gatherings, both professional and personal. Look for:
Industry or professional association events
Chamber of Commerce events
Job seeker meetups
Neighborhood or community events
Alumni gatherings
Volunteer opportunities
Pick one or two to attend in person. Bring a friend if networking makes you nervous.
Have Your Pitch Ready
At social events, you will almost always hear:
“So, what do you do?”
Your answer does not need to be long or formal. Keep it short, positive, and clear. Avoid leading with “I am unemployed” or “I am in transition.”
Here are examples that work well:
“I am a technical writer and project manager. I oversee teams who write operating instructions so customers can use machinery safely and efficiently.”
“I am in accounting. I am the person who makes sure the numbers match up.”
“I am finishing my degree and planning to work in Human Resources when I graduate.”
If they ask a follow-up question, then you can share the types of companies you are targeting.
Spread Some Online Holiday Cheer
Use the season as an easy and natural way to reconnect. Try this:
Send holiday greetings to former colleagues on LinkedIn
Comment thoughtfully on posts from leaders in your industry
Look for online holiday-themed events on Meetup or Eventbrite
Re-engage with contacts you have not spoken to in a while
These small digital touches keep your network warm and help you stay top of mind.
Reach Out
December is the perfect excuse to send a message that feels warm, not transactional. Try something like:
“Hi ___, I hope you are doing well. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season. I would love to catch up sometime soon. Are you available for coffee or a quick virtual chat?”
Many people have lighter schedules right now, so take advantage of it.
Take Control of Your Holiday Job Search
You cannot control hiring timelines, but you can control your actions. Use this month to:
Update your list of target companies
Learn or refresh a skill related to your career
Improve your LinkedIn profile and start posting
Follow up consistently. Delays are normal this time of year
Even if there are fewer jobs posted, you can still make meaningful progress.
Manage Your Time
Structure boosts motivation. Try blocking your day into one-hour chunks and assign each block a task:
Networking
Outreach
Research
Skill development & self-care
This keeps momentum going and helps you feel productive, not overwhelmed.
Your Holiday Job Search Action Plan
Pick three actions for the next week:
Attend one event online or in person
Send holiday messages to five contacts
Reconnect with one past colleague
Add ten new companies to your target list
Refresh your pitch and update your LinkedIn About section
Small steps create powerful momentum.
Final Thought
If you want a new job in January, the work starts now.
December is full of opportunities to build relationships, stay visible, and position yourself for success in the new year.
Use the season to open doors. Your next conversation could lead to your next job
🔎 JOB SEARCH
When someone asks about your job search during the holidays, do this - Jessica Hernandez
This is a great post about how to handle questions about your job search over the holidays. It’s ok to acknowledge how tough it is AND ask for help! Similar to mine above, but it addresses how to handle the emotional aspects of job search during the holidays.
How to Job Search When You're Over Job Searching - The Job Hopper
If you are discouraged, burned out, or just unmotivated, here are 5 actions you should do to get you back in the job search grind.
🤝 NETWORKING
3 types of people you need in your network - Greg Roche
I want you to create a list of these people today! A real list on paper. 1) People ahead of you 2) people behind you, and 3) people who are even with you. See why this works and get networking!
💰 CAREER
10 ways great leaders protect their teams - Dora Vanourek
I think we all wish we had leaders who did a better job protecting us. Sometimes we can manage up. Dora shares a how she remembers when her manager stood up for the team. Now more than ever, your team needs protecting. Here are 10 ways you can support them!
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JOB SEARCH VISUAL
Stop boring the interviewer with your answer to "tell me about yourself"
What they are really asking is why are you QUALIFIED and INTERESTED in this role/company.
💀 Before: your answer is too long and general and has too much information!
🎉 After: You've listed the top 3 qualifications you have for the job plus why you are interested in the role & company! And you deliver it in under 2 minutes!
Use this formula to answer the question
PAST
PRESENT
FUTURE
This is what I've done in the past that qualifies me for this role.
This is what I'm currently doing that qualifies me for this role.
This is what I want to work on next and why I am interested in this role
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