If you are looking to advance your career you shouldn’t let the lure of dancing sugarplums and gingerbread men distract you this holiday season. According to career counselors, the holidays are no time to be slacking in your efforts if you are trying to move up the career ladder. On the contrary, experts say this is a time of real opportunity because a lot of your competitors are taking time off to decorate their homes, spend time with their families, and purchase gifts to stick under the tree.
In addition, studies show the beginning of a new year is often a busy time for managers trying to fill openings that may be lost to budget cuts if they aren’t filled. Also, once year-end bonuses are paid, some employees will leave their jobs, creating new vacancies.
Experts also note that the fourth quarter of the year is the most common time for workers to get pink slips.
If you find yourself getting laid off in December experts offer these tips:
1. Perform an honest assessment of the situation and of yourself. Determine if there was anything you could have done differently that would have saved your job so that you may avoid the same fate next time.
2. Take a short “mental vacation.” Meaning you should take a few days to assess your career situation and consider your options. After that you can begin planning your career moves.
3. Research the market. Take some time to look at employment trends in your area and your industry in order to help you identify the best companies in your field. Pay attention to which companies are growing and which are not.
4. Update your “career tool kit.” Simply put, make changes to your resume by adding some of your latest accomplishments. Also, take some time to polish-up your “30-second commercial.” This is a short verbal presentation about who you are professionally.
5. Network. Your personal and professional contacts are your most valuable career asset. Experts recommend scheduling professional networking appointments and making contact with new people. Holiday parties are also a good opportunity for networking and socializing, which can go a long way towards opening career doors. Try to snag an invitation to a friend’s office party. Or work the room at your spouse’s holiday company party.
6. Practice your interviewing and negotiating skills. Make sure you prepare questions in advance of any and all job interviews. If your interview skills are rusty try practicing them on your friends and family members so that you can get more comfortable answering tough questions. Also make sure you research salaries and know what you are really worth.
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