Surviving the upcoming holiday season

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Which brings me to today’s topic: Preparing for the upcoming holiday season.

In a few short weeks we'll celebrate Thanksgiving, then Christmas/Chanukah, and before you turn around its New Years day and the beginning of a new decade, 2010.

So you ask, “Perry, what does all this have to do with me and my job search.”

In my years as a recruiter, career coach and resume writer, I’ve noticed two consistent phenomena’s at this time of year. One is that many job seekers convince themselves that this is the absolute worst time of year to look for a new job, and therefore they will take a hiatus from their search.

The other is that many out of work professionals drift into a state of job search depression and lose perspective of their intrinsic value as the New Year approaches.

So here are my ‘Top Three’ suggestions to institute in November and December.

Suggestion #1 is that you adjust your thinking!

Contrary to misguided beliefs, the end of the fourth quarter is one of the best times of the year to be aggressive in your job search and interviews. Many companies put off hiring as long as possible, and decision makers must pull the plug before their budget expires; and senior management wants to have the new hire signed, sealed, delivered and on board by the middle of January at the latest.

Also consider this, as the holidays draw near, decision makers are more likely to be in a jovial mood; and you can further contribute to this by being upbeat and offering novel solutions to pressing existing problems. You can help them enjoy the upcoming holiday season knowing that if they hire you their plate will be emptier and they can now concentrate on new and more pressing challenges with your able assistance.

Suggestion #2 is that you update or totally revamp your resume.

There are two essential reasons for doing this. One is that to change your resume you must first rethink your accomplishments, and reevaluate what you have to offer. I suggest doing this using a C-A-R exercise that I discussed in previous articles. As you do this you will begin to see that the problem is not you. You may find it wise to be pragmatic to alter your expectations based on the current market, but you will definitely regain some lost confidence by restating your intrinsic value to a new employer.

Also if you are smart you will come up charismatic way to present yourself in your new resume. And just like the confidence you gain when you buy and don a new designer outfit (an elegant and coordinated suit, shirt, tie, shoes and briefcase) that fits you to a tee and exudes an image that says WINNER!!!, you will get the same emotional lift and reinvigorate your job search with a stylish new professional marketing portfolio.

Suggestion #3 is Network, Network and Network some more.

An inordinate number of clients and individuals I speak to or receive emails from are uncomfortable networking with people from their past because they think they’ll be perceived as insincere or self-serving. I consider this foolish, but it is understandable.

What’s great is that even if you have not spoken with someone who can help you since the beginning of 2009, or even for two or even the last twenty years, this season is nostalgic; and getting a shout out from a long lost friend or former business acquaintance will be looked at as a sincere effort at this time of year. So reach out and extend best wishes and catch up on old times with everyone you know since you graduated elementary school.

If you show a genuine interest in the other person, and begin the conversation by sincerely inquiring as to how their life has progressed since you last spoke, and ask them if there is anything you can do to help their career, such as a linked-in recommendation or an introduction to someone in your network who can further their career or social life, you will be able to ask them to help you without feeling guilty and get a positive response. And who knows, you may discover that you should both now keep in touch with each other on a regular rather than an occasional basis.

Take these suggestions seriously and you will improve your chances of 2010 being a year to remember.