Ahhh, it’s that time of year again. The time for fun-filled festivities, presents and erm… doing your tax returns? 

Not quite what we had in mind for our Christmas break, but according to Nationwide, over 23,000 people submitted their online tax returns and 1 in 3 checked their finances on Christmas day last year. Which got us thinking…

The festive season is of course the perfect time to unwind and spend valuable time with loved ones, and to others the time to sort out your finances, but for many, it’s also the perfect time to look for a new job. 

Unfortunately it takes more than a jolly fat man with a white beard to make that wish come true, but there are ways to make sure you’re one step closer to your next role this Christmas.

Here’s how you can make the most out of the job hunt this festive season:

1. Build your online network:

The holidays are a great excuse to get back in touch with old friends, colleagues or former bosses. Find out what they’re up to via LinkedIn or Facebook. You never know, you might just re-establish a relationship that could be very beneficial for everyone involved!

 

2. Christmas parties are networking opportunities: 

Take advantage of the festive celebrations this holiday season and network, network, network! Whether they’re professional association or not, you can really make the most out of them. Set yourself a goal to meet as many people as you can, who knows who you might be introduced to!

Don’t underestimate the power of the festive spirit and try and schedule in meetings with networking contacts, you might just be in luck! As the festive season is in full swing, work tends to slow down, so they might just be more willing to meet up!

 

3. Stay in touch with recruiters: 

During this time it’s useful to remind recruiters or hiring managers that you’re still interested! One way to do this, is sending out Christmas cards to anyone you have been in touch with relating to your job hunt. 

Sending a Christmas card is a great way to express your appreciation with a personal touch and allows you to stay on their radar for any opportunities that they might have in store for you in the New Year.

 

4. Review what you want from your next role: 

The beauty of the Christmas break is that you have time, so why not put it to good use and really assess what you want from your next role.  Are you looking for a position that offers you more salary, better work-life balance or stronger growth opportunities? Do your expectations align with your long term goals?

Assessing what you really want, will help to give you a clearer focus on the types of roles that you are after whilst also highlighting positions that at first you might not have considered.

 

5. Prepare for 2016:

Following on from the last tip, you can also use the break to your advantage by making those small improvements that could help land your next role. This could range from touching up your CV, practising those interview techniques or making changes to your own personal branding. The more preparation you do now, the more prepared you’ll be for any opportunities in 2016! 

 

Remember…

• Starting or continuing your job search over the holiday season will help ensure that you are well positioned for when the traditional January boom begins!

• Fewer job seekers try to find jobs during this period, meaning that competition isn’t as intense! The best time to really stand out from the crowd.

And…Relax! Remember to enjoy your Christmas break also! Having some time to really chill out will help to re-charge those batteries ready for 2016!

 

To find out more of how we could help you: 

Please call: 0370 240 1010

Visit our website: www.adlestropconsulting.com

Email: jade.soer@adlestropconsulting.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: Adlestrop Consulting.