Four Ways the Holidays Can Help Your Job Search
The recent BusinessWeek article "An MBA Christmas: The Holiday Job Hunt" shared tips for MBA students hoping to use their winter breaks wisely by lining up internships and jobs for the new year. Much of the advice also applies to those already in the workforce who might be hoping to find greener pastures in 2010.
Either way, here are some of the takeaways for using the unique job-hunting opportunities that the holiday season presents:
- 1. Use downtime wisely: When you're out of the office or the classroom, don't just sit on the couch watching Miracle on 34th Street for the tenth time this month. Keep searching for jobs and use the extra time to research companies, write cover letters, update your resume and so on.
- 2. Network, network, network: Whether you're sitting next to a stranger on a plane or chatting with new acquaintances at your significant other's December work party, the holidays often bring with them new networking opportunities. Don't be shy about approaching others, asking their advice and offering to connect them or assist them in some way.
- 3. Build up your credits: If you're lucky enough to have a few weeks off, you can add some impressive accomplishments to your resume. Try writing an article for an industry journal or taking a lead role on a volunteering project.
- 4. Make career inroads: The BusinessWeek article points out that many executives will be giving their assistants time off during the holidays. If they're in the office, they might pick up the phones themselves, presenting the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself without having to go through the usual channels.
Image courtesy of Flickr user visualthinker, CC 2.0.