5 Career Management Tips for the Holiday Season

by Debra Wheatman on Dec 10, 2010 in Career Planning

If you are like me, you enjoy the holiday season; for me, it represents a time to get together with family and friends, reminisce, and share good moments. Of course, it can be a manic time – people running all over the place, traveling, and shopping, must have the shopping.

I have learned over the years that people tend to take a hiatus from career management activities during the holiday season; I confess – this is something I never understood. It seems like an ideal time to reflect on things completed over the past year and work on creating a blueprint for an upcoming search or renew one’s sense of commitment to job activities. I suppose it is easy to get caught up in the festivities of the season and put career planning on the back burner.

Here are some tips to help you keep the momentum going so that you are ready for the New Year:

- – Establish a New Year’s resolution. I know – many people resolve to do things in the New Year; somehow, the holy grail – THE RESOLUTION never comes to pass. What can you do to keep yourself on track?

• Keep a short list of your areas of focus. This will serve as a reminder and help you stay engaged during the various parties and social gatherings you will no doubt attend;
• Use your time wisely. If you know that you are planning on looking for a new gig in the New Year, start early! Create a spreadsheet of companies that appeal to you. Begin to conduct some research to uncover names of people that you can write to as you plan your search;
• Volunteer some extra time to give back to people in need. You will likely meet other professionals – people that you can incorporate into your network. Who knows? You might even make a new friend!
• Set aside some specific time to evaluate your plan; the path you want to pursue. Keep a notebook or diary of your goals. When things are written down, you will be more likely to put them into action;
• Make sure your résumé and cover letter are in top shape. Your documents should be updated, free of grammatical and spelling errors, and highlight the most relevant and current information as it relates to your short- and medium-term goals.

The holidays are a good time to reflect on the past year and think about future goals and opportunities. Don’t wait until the New Year to get started on the next steps in your career plan. Maintain your knowledge of your industry and the market; keep abreast of trends, and most of all, be sure you keep yourself involved with your network. Part of your success is predicated on your ability to market you skills and abilities.

Here’s to a healthy, productive, and happy holiday season!

Debra Wheatman

CPRW, CPCC and President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career road maps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries. Visit careersdonewrite.com to learn more.

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