I’ve been looking for work since September, and I’m getting very anxious. With the holidays approaching, when should I shut down my job search, and when should I start it up again? Is there a traditional “holiday period” that most organizations follow?

Let’s start with a little quiz:

Q: When is the best time to look for a job:
A: Any time!

Without trying to sound flippant, there is a very quick answer to your fundamental question: you should NEVER shut down your job search. (Some would extend that even to those who found a job years ago!) Just because you have a job currently, doesn’t mean you are immune from preparing for your next job. You should always be looking for your next job, whether you have one now or not.

Your job search doesn’t take a holiday

Many people assume that the holiday period results in a slowdown or even total stoppage of all business activity until the New Year. In fact, business decisions must be made at all times of the year, and people decide to leave jobs at all times of the year. The best job seekers will balance their need to have well-deserved downtime with their efforts to find work at all times of the year. So how much job searching you do during the holidays is defined more by your personal choice than any perceived “rules” of when you should or should not suspend your search.

Ho-ho-hone your networking skills during the holiday

The holidays — what a perfect time to keep your network fresh — bring with them a great built-in reason to connect again to the most important people in your professional and personal channels. Go through your networking contact list, and like Santa, check it twice to ensure that it is up to date. While you are wishing your friends and colleagues the best for the holidays and your hope that they have a happy New Year, you can also mention that you are in the job market now, and looking for your next career opportunity. Remember to always be as optimistic and cheerful as you can — this is the festive season after all, and nobody wants a downer during the holidays and they could even be less likely to recommend you as a result. Sending cards or emails is good, calling is better, but in-person contact is the best way to connect, especially with your key network.

Use the holiday to reflect on your past and plan your future

This time of year also brings with it the typical reflections of the previous year’s events from the media. You can do the same thing to look back on your career, determine what’s worked, what could be improved upon, and any lessons learned. Use this information to help you plan for the year ahead. Is it time to consider different career alternatives?

Hit the ground running in January

It is generally safe to assume that not much will be going on during the week between Christmas and the New Year. Use this time to unwind, reflect, relax, and plan your next moves in a guilt-free environment. After all, you’ve most likely worked hard this year (even if it’s the kind of work you do to find work), so you deserve a break to recharge your batteries. But once the holiday is over, which is the first week of January, you certainly need to reinitiate your efforts — hopefully well rested and reinvigorated.

The best job seekers don’t make excuses, but persevere, even in the most trying times, until they succeed and meet their objective at the job they want for the pay they deserve.

From everyone at CatalystCareers, enjoy the holidays, and have a safe and happy New Year!

Mitchell Stephenson M.A., CPCC, is a senior partner and a certified professional career counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a career transition, counselling, and outplacement firm. Mitch has been involved in human resources, career counselling and coaching in the health and legal sectors for many years. To contact him, visit: www.catalystcareers.ca.

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