The holiday season can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing time of year, even for the gainfully employed. But for those who are recent victims of an organizational restructure or downsizing, the holidays can be downright brutal.
The holly jolly festive spirit might be harder to come by, but that doesn’t mean you have to pull the blinds and hide away for the month. On the contrary, in fact! Here are some tips for surviving, and even thriving, during the end-of-year festivities.
[See: 8 Things That Are More Productive Than Staring at a Job Board.]
Practice Breaking the News
This time of year, you may find yourself reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in a while. Aside from the typical parties, pot lucks and open houses, the holidays also tend to spark spontaneous phone calls from distant friends and relatives. Everyone will want to know what’s going on in your life. They aren’t prying; they’re just making casual conversation.
Do yourself (and everyone else) a favor and get comfortable with how you’ll break the news of your recent layoff. Most people in your position harbor a certain amount of resentment, even under the best of circumstances, and you don’t want your emotions to come boiling to the surface. After all, it’s the holidays! People want to celebrate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also be honest.
Your best bet is to practice a short, unemotional explanation that focuses on your hopes for the future, rather than the pains of the past. Tell people you’re eager to see what exciting opportunities arise in the new year, and don’t dwell on your frustrations. Showing a positive face to others can help keep your spirits up — even if it requires some extra effort.
[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]
Cut Back on Extravagant Gifts
No doubt you’re feeling the financial uncertainty of unemployment. That’s totally normal! This time of year can create added strain, especially if you’re used to buying extravagant gifts for loved ones. Don’t allow your history of generosity to push you into unwise spending. You need to make some adjustments to account for the current situation. Your loved ones will understand — it’s not about the gifts, and it never was. Focus on giving fewer, more meaningful, gifts instead.
Prepare for Your Job Search
It’s no secret that hiring tends to move slowly this time of year (though there are exceptions). Regardless, there are many things you can do to prepare for a full-scale launch of your job search come January. Most career experts recommend taking some time to gain focus after a layoff anyway, but that doesn’t mean sitting around drinking eggnog and wallowing in self-pity.
Instead, focus on sprucing up your resume and LinkedIn profile. Explore companies you might like to target. Do some self-reflection and consider whether a career change makes sense and, if so, how you would go about it. You may even be able to take some online courses to fill skill gaps and boost your confidence.
Don’t allow the pressures of the season to push you into a “spray and pray” mindset. Spreading a subpar resume around town and hoping something lands isn’t an effective use of your time, and it will only heighten your anxiety.
[See: The 8 Stages of a Winning Job Offer.]
Attend Career-Oriented Holiday Gatherings
It’s also important to avoid using the holidays as an excuse to put off your job-search activities entirely. In fact, now is the perfect time to get active networking, particularly in various professional associations within your field. Many career-oriented groups host holiday gatherings for members — a great opportunity to expand your network and explore potential leads. The festive environment can make it easier (and more fun) to forge new connections.
Leverage the Holiday Spirit
People tend to feel more generous during the holidays and they usually have a little more downtime at work. That makes this the perfect time to ask for that crucial introduction, referral or informational interview. Your professional network is there to help you. Everyone wants to feel useful when someone they know is in need, so tell them how they can best serve you.
The holiday season really is a special time of year. Try your best to enjoy some extra quality time with family and friends; remember that, under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t have it. While no one wants to spend the holidays dealing with a layoff, it can be a blessing in disguise. Let this time re-energize you and lift your spirits so you can start the new year with a fresh, positive perspective.
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Holiday Tips for the Recently Laid Off originally appeared on usnews.com
