First Snow

For those [in Chicago] today is the first snow for the winter months. The first snow fall, for many of us, is a sign that the holiday season is officially here, and can be an exciting time to celebrate with friends and family. However for the unemployed it can also be a difficult period to remain positive and stay strong on your search. Cabin fever, depression, and loss of interest are some common side effects of lacking employment during the winter months.


If you're in a region where weather keeps you inside for the majority of the time over the next five months it can be a challenge to not go a little crazy. Some of the ways I find to keep your mind sharp is exercising or joining an indoor sports league. You'd be surprised how much better you feel when you get out some aggression, and it also can be a great way to strengthen your networking skills. If sports aren't you thing, then you might find solace in becoming more active in your church or community. Charities need tons of volunteers during the winter mouths, and believe it or not employers highly regard folks more active in their community. Becoming a volunteer offers both the organization and individual so many benefits beyond what you would initially expect to gain.

The holidays can be stressful, especially if money is tight, but who says that you have to spend a ton of money to have a festive winter. Some of my best holiday memories came from when my family had the least amount of money for gifts or trips. For tons of ideas on how to simplify your holiday season, check out Real Simple.

It's true that few employers (with the except of retailers) are looking to hire during holiday months (Nov-Dec.), but what a lot of job seekers fail to realize is that those same employers are really gearing up for January. With the new year comes, for many companies, a renewed budget and the potential for hiring more employees or launching dominant projects. This can also be a great time for networking through friends and family at their holiday parties. One word of advise... although this is the time to really network at parties or social holiday events, don't make the mistake of talking too much about your desire to find work. You don't want to be 'that person' that can't shut up about being unemployed or look like you're fishing for employment (even though you are). Open up the conversation with common interests and hobbies. It's kind of the idea that most business deals happen on the golf course, but instead with a candy cane in hand.

This season, don't let the first snow put you out in the cold with a damper outlook to finding employment. Finding ways to stay active and networking is at your finger tips, so don't let the holiday pass you by without taking advantage of the opportunities that lay before you.