Q: Dear Seymour, I am tired of job searching and I deserve a break. Is it worth it to keep looking during the holidays?
- Submitted by Bryce Collins, Conyers, Georgia
A: Dear Bryce,
It is certainly tempting to just forget about job searching during the holidays. You've been working hard all year--why not take a few weeks off with everyone else and forget about it for a little while? In fact, many job seekers believe the holidays are scant with open job requisitions. However, it may just be your time to stand out while others are sipping on eggnog.
Everyone else is taking time off, so it's time to search extra hard.
If you feel like taking time off, so does everyone else! That's why it's a great idea to search now more than ever. Find what no one else is looking for and apply while there are fewer people on the hunt. While everyone else is napping the winter away, be the early bird who is ready with a polished resume and cover letter and available at a moment's notice for a networking meeting or interview.
Take advantage of a more relaxed business environment.
Many businesses slow down during the holidays, which means, hiring managers are likely to have more time to meet with you and network. They're also more likely in a festive, giving spirit as meetings slow down and the pace of things becomes more manageable. Touch base with your networking contacts and set up meetings and interviews.
Celebrate (and network).
Celebrations abound during this time and you have more networking events to attend than ever. You can even host some yourself. Remember that every person you know and meet is a potential networking contact. Even volunteering your time to charitable organizations is a great way to meet people and find out about new opportunities.
December often means movement.
Many people decided to switch jobs or retire around the end of the year. This means lots of new openings become available that most companies want to fill before the New Year when budgets are set and everyone is expected to hit the New Year running.
You should take some time for yourself to enjoy the holidays, but don't give up your job search. This is an excellent time to look and you don't want a perfect opportunity to pass you by.
Seymour
Rumors and the grapevine are a common part of the workplace. But they can be a very negative part of the workplace too.
Not only are rumors and gossip a distraction to worker productivity, but they can also be hurtful to person or persons who are the target of stories and rumors. As one article points out, rumors in the workplace are on the rise due to uncertainty about jobs and the financial health of companies.
Although some, and I do emphasize "some", gossip can be healthy and an outlet for venting, constant gossip can be detrimental to your credibility as an employee. Some severe cases can include dismissal because of a no tolerance policy about gossip in the workplace.
With layoffs and job losses at an all time high, the office rumor mill can churn out innuendoes and tall tales based on fear and anxiety. Some rumors may be true, but others could just be fear and uncertainty talking.
Office gossip can be quite enticing to listen to and even participate in spreading around to close friends and colleagues. But it isn't advisable to be a part of the rumor mill and gossip circle. If you become known as a gossip monger, you could lose credibility among your managers and co-workers - especially if the rumors turn out to be false.
It would probably be worth it to stay "in the know", but you have to learn how to filter out what is and isn't true, and don't let it interfere with your work productivity or quality.
