For those who are taking advantage of the end-of-the-year lull to focus on a job search, this can be a difficult time of year. It’s sometimes a good moment to get people on the phone. I myself am enjoying a quiet moment of catch-up in the office and am able to connect with folks without a lot of distraction. Having said that, tomorrow I’ll be in full holiday mode, and not so easy to reach. For those job-seekers out there who are working hard, they may not be able to see much response or movement until after the holiday season. That can be incredibly frustrating.

If you want to take this time to look for something new, by all means. But manage your expectations about how soon you’ll be hearing back from people. One way to combat the frustration of sending out queries without response is to spend some time also just reconnecting with folks. It’s a logical time of the year to reach out to past colleagues and just wish them a happy holiday season and a nice New Year. I’ve gotten several warm notes from folks just saying hello–I’m sure those are the people that will be at the top of my list when the new year starts to hit its stride.

Focus for the remainder of the year on what you are sending out, and don’t worry about what comes back in, at least for now. Enjoy the holidays, and wish someone else a happy holiday season.

Related posts:

1. Do Law Firms Generally Have Hiring Freezes During the Holiday Season, or is This as Good a Time as Any to Aggressively Pursue a New Job?
2. Tips for Holiday Networking
3. How to Have a Happy Holiday in a Miserable Economy