Silver Bells, Holiday Blues

Escaping Career Blues In the midst of our holiday reverie, it’s easy to forget that not everyone will have a happy holiday season. I’m certainly guilty of getting wrapped up in my Chanukah and Christmas gift lists, my holiday plans and, of course, my work. Each of these time-consuming bits seems so important that the wider world escapes me, at least momentarily.

None of us should forget to give to those less fortunate this season. But, the point of this post is to focus on those among us grappling with their careers this season. The holidays are the worst time to deal with career worries because, as you all well know, it is the biggest shopping (and spending) season of the year. Coming up with all of those holiday gift ideas is tough enough when you’re not worried about where your next paycheck is coming from or whether you’ll have to take a pay cut to start your new career.

Add to this the fact that it is the slowest hiring season of the year (excluding temporary or seasonal hiring) and no amount of holiday cheer can put your career fears to rest. So, how do you fend off holiday career blues?

“Forgettaboutit”! Just kidding. I wish it were so simple. But, you can make it simpler by factoring the holidays into your career change or job search plans. Here’s how!

7 TIPS FOR ESCAPING HOLIDAY CAREER BLUES

1. Master Your Money Worries: If you’ve been laid off or plan to leave your job after the holidays, be smart with your money.

If you’re lucky enough to get a holiday bonus, save it!
Buy lower priced gifts or, if (and only if) you’re a talented craftsperson or baker, make gifts for your loved ones. There are plenty of great gift ideas for any budget (See “Career Gear Update: Best Holiday Gifts 2007″).

2. Create a Cushion: Take advantage of seasonal hiring as a means of making extra money for holiday gifts or living expenses. It’s not too late! Some employers will retain seasonal staff through the end of January or later to deal with after-holiday returns and preparations for the coming year.
3. Be Strategic: More than just extra dough, seasonal hiring is a great way of getting your foot in the door with a desirable employer. This is a particularly great strategy for those interested in retail and other consumer products businesses, logistics, hospitality, travel, customer service and food service. Seasonal hiring also offers an opportunity to test new career opportunities. If you’ve never worked in retail, in restaurants, in hospitality or in a plant nursery, seasonal work is a great opportunity for a test run.
4. Use Holiday Parties: Holiday parties are networking opportunities. Don’t waste them on drunken gorging. If you’re being laid off, use your last holiday party to chat up your soon-to-be-ex-boss about consulting opportunities (this assumes you’re being laid off due to downsizing, not your performance). If you’re simply considering a job change within your current organization, chat up managers in that business unit about your interests and their plans. Finally, accompany friends to their holiday parties and chat up their co-workers about job leads and referrals. Bring your business cards!

5. Ask for Your Next Job: Most employers have already finalized their 2008 budgets and staffing plans, so they know whether they will create new jobs or increase hiring in some areas of their businesses. Ask your boss about these plans. Tell her of your desire to find a start a new career, to strike a greater work-life balance or to earn more money in the new year. Find out if she might recommend you for a promotion, transfer or pay increase.
6. Family Matters: Most of our family members work somewhere. Some may even work for companies for which you’d like to work. Add your resume to your sack of gifts. Talk up your career interests to family members who may be able to hand-deliver your resume to a hiring manager, or at least introduce you to someone who might help you in your job search.
7. New Year, New Attitude: Being depressed or disgruntled is human, but it’s counter-productive. So, shake it off and be ready to pounce on career opportunities in 2008. If you haven’t gotten a return call or an interview for the last 50 jobs for which you’ve applied, don’t worry. Revise your resume, re-focus your search, refine your strategy. Replies will pick up in the new year.