With many people out of work, you might feel pressure to continue looking for jobs over the holidays. I’ve heard some clients spend as much as 8 hours a day on job search activities. As companies slow down their hiring efforts, it’s okay to slow down your job search activities too. Here are some tips that will allow you to enjoy the holidays without missing out on new opportunities.
Automate Your Job Search
One of my favorite tools for job searching is the Google Jobs tool. If you’re not familiar with what that is, it’s the blue banner in the search results that appears whenever you Google “[Job title] jobs near me.” When you click on that blue banner, it takes you to the tool, where you are able to filter results even further. The reason I love the tool so much is a) it aggregates postings from all over the web, and b) you can set alerts for certain types of searches and get notified when new jobs are added that meet those criteria.
So if you are looking for “Entry-level Account Management Jobs in New York City” you can set an alert for that and wait to be notified. It’s a good idea to have an alert set for each of the types of positions you are looking for. You can even batch your alerts so you only get an alert once a week. Designate that day to apply to jobs, then get back to having fun and relaxing.
Limit Your Screen Time by Being Selective
There’s no need to be stuck in front of your computer your whole holiday. You only need 30 minutes a day to engage on LinkedIn effectively. Commenting and liking others posts, or sharing your own content, helps you get in front of potential hiring managers and recruiters. Set a limit for your job search screen time and then stick to it.
Put Your Holiday Cards—And Your Friends And Family— To Work For You
I know we want our holiday cards to be positive and picture-perfect, but let’s face it: 2020 has been a less-than-perfect year. Whether you’re sending out Christmas cards or New Year’s cards, letting your family friends know that you are looking for a new job is a great way to get a lot of eyes and ears looking out for opportunities for you.
Just because you are looking for work, doesn’t mean you can’t also take a break and enjoy the holidays. Structuring your job search so you have time to rest and relax is essential so you can get back to it with fresh energy in 2021. Happy Holidays!