As much as I love Thanksgiving, it’s really hard to make it through a long weekend being out of work. Job listings slow down, responses to resumes are minimal, and the general vibe of holidays (especially one surrounding Black Friday) is to spend, spend spend. However, I decided to put together some tips for you to survive a long weekend and still feel like you are on top of your unemployment game.
1) Don’t stop job hunting.
Despite the holiday, I’ve still been looking for jobs. I notice it’s generally quieter and there aren’t as many listings, but that hasn’t stopped me. I have even applied to one or two this week. According to an article with The Balance, one huge reason to still look for jobs around the holidays is that there is less competition. Not sure how helpful it is, but I’ve also added in a “Happy Thanksgiving!” to my cover letters (I couldn’t resist). We’ll see how that went over next week when everyone goes back to work.
2) Give yourself a bit of a break.
On Thanksgiving day, I took a break. It wasn’t easy and I almost had to explain apologetically to myself why I wanted the break, but I’m glad I did. Despite the stress of being unemployed, it’s still important to take time to enjoy the day, however modest your celebration. Or even if you aren’t a big fan of holidays, most employers are out Thursday (unless you work retail) so why not take at least one day to rest. And if you can’t accept taking a break, see Thanksgiving (and other holidays, especially ones that include a gathering of some kind) as an opportunity to network among friends and family.
3) Holiday employment is happening.
If you are flexible about the type of job you are looking for, retailers are hiring! According to CNBC, employers such as Apple, Nordstrom, Burlington, and others are hiring this holiday season. It’s a great way to get extra spending money and potentially could turn into a permanent job.
4) Take advantage of Black Friday deals.
Black Friday deals are not just restricted to televisions and iPads! There are still deals to be had that can help you advance your career, skills, and your small business (if you have one). So, take advantage of Black Friday deals through sites like Flex Jobs. I found some other deals through one of my favorite work from home sites, Real ways to Earn Money Online. You can also find some incredible deals on various courses such as coding classes and Microsoft mastery courses (and some others) as found on CNN. For anyone who operates a small business or wants to be a blogger in 2019, I found a list of awesome deals happening right now as well, including hosting deals and affiliate marketing courses.
5) Stay hopeful. Stay positive.
Monday is around the corner (finally!) but for the next time a holiday weekend looms for you, try as much as you can to keep a positive outlook. I try to be thankful for what I do have, for the time spent with loved ones, and the other areas of my life that have been blessed. It’s hard to keep your chin up as the days bleed into another, but it’s essential for keeping up the job search. Try to connect with as many people as you can this holiday season, talk about your job interests and what you are looking for, and accept those invitations for coffee.
How do you survive the holidays when you are unemployed?
