...is not doing their job seeking during the holidays! As every career management professional -- career consultant, career counselor, career coach -- will tell you, the two best times of the year to conduct your job search are during the summer, and during the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's season.
Why? During the summer people are naturally more mellow. They're just back from vacation, and reminiscing about the wonderful time they had; they're getting ready to go on vacation, and are already mentally kicking back; the days are long and warm, perfect for meeting after work (or for breakfast) and talking things over.
During the holidays people are...naturally more mellow! This is the time of year when people begin to think of others, and the emphasis is on kindness, happiness and hope for the future. People are more willing to stop and chat, during the work day, often take somewhat extended lunch hours to do their Christmas/Chanukah shopping, and find that the pressures of work are less onerous (UNLESS they're working in the Accounting Department and preparing to close the books at year end, or UNLESS they're in retail...in either of which cases you probably won't see them until after January).
Well, the holidays are here, now! NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Send your contacts Thanksgiving cards (avoid the Christmas rush!), and remind them how grateful you are for their friendship, their experience and wise advice, and the fact that they're simply there for you. Who are you more thankful for, in fact, than those who extended themselves on your behalf? Let them know...and while you're at it you'll be keeping yourself on their radar, and reminding them that they may not have heard from you for a while. Ask to get together for an eggnog, or a cup of coffee, or a drink, to celebrate the season, and discuss your and their plans for the year ahead.
Nobody wants to be seen or thought of as the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge during the holidays season. Most people are feeling like kids again, or like the lights on their trees...happy and involved in family, friends, and good-deed doing. How about movies like "It's a Wonderful Life", "A Christmas Carol", and "Miracle on 34th Street"? It's good deeds that count during the holidays.
Now's your chance to allow people to be friendly and helpful...and all because of you! And don't think they won't take you up on it, either.
