Alchemy Search

It’s That Time of the Year

As we get approach November, with days getting shorter, the weather changing, and the end of the year just around the corner, there is a temptation to slow down, throttle back, and even think about hibernating. With this kind of mind-set at play, people can lose valuable time, not to mention the momentum they’ve been developing in their search for a new job. I believe that it’s a serious mistake to dial down one’s activity during this time of year.

One of the reasons I feel this way is that, in contrast to the conventional wisdom, this is actually and excellent time to remain active. During the last couple months of the year, many people go low key, saying to anyone who’ll listen, “I’ll get busy again when the New Year starts.” By staying active, your odds naturally improve. This is also a great time to hone your current skills and develop new ones, putting you in a much better position to address the question “What have you been doing the past several months” with honesty and conviction.

Another reason to stay active is to keep any momentum you’ve developed working for you. It’s hard enough to make steady progress in this process and what a shame it would be have to start all over again in the New Year. Sticking to a disciplined approach is one of the keys to the process and I’ve seen time and again that those who stay in the game are those who ultimately get the best results.

Finally, as I’ve said before, there is no time like the present to do networking. This should, of course, be a consistent and year round activity, but many people let up during this time of year. I’d like to suggest that this is an excellent time to become even more active with your networking. If you were attending one professional meeting a month, try going to two, or even three. Not only are those contacts likely to pay off in the New Year, but with the possibility that people are in the “holiday spirit,” you may have an easier time making good connections during these meetings.

I recognize that this time of year, with busy schedules, family commitments, and the like, it can be a real challenge to keep active regarding work and career. It’s also very tempting to say to oneself, “It’s only a couple of months and I’ll hit it hard again in the New Year.” I hope you won’t do that and will stay active and focused during the next couple of months. You might find answers to key questions or make important connections that turn out to be critical in your search for new work.

Best wishes.

Mark Guterman
Mark@Alchemysearch.com