Red flags to look out for

How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market (without overworking yourself)

Most people assume the holiday season is a bad time to job search. Offices slow down, hiring managers travel, and everyone seems focused on everything other than reviewing resumes! But here's the part most people miss: the holidays are actually one of the most underrated windows to make real progress in your job search. Here are practical, high-impact tips to help you use this time intentionally - without burning yourself out. 1.don't buy into the "nobody hires in December" myth Companies don't stop needing great people just because Christmas is coming! Year-end budgets are finalised, roles open unexpectedly, and January hiring pushes are planned in December. Fewer applicants also means less competition. If you stay active when others slow down, you stand out. 2.refresh your online presence Quiet weeks make for perfect housekeeping: Update your LinkedIn headline and "About" section Make sure your recent achievements are visible and measurable Clean up old portfolio work or upload a new project Add a professional, warm profile photo if you haven't already This small effort pays off when recruiters ramp up searches again in January 3.send warm, low-pressure check-ins The holidays give you a socially acceptable reason to reconnect without it feeling 'salesy'. A simple message like: "Hope your year is wrapping up well - just wanted to thank you again for our conversation earlier in the year. I'm exploring new opportunities in ___ and would love to stay on your radar going into the new year". People are more open, more relaxed and willing to help at this time of year. 4.use downtime to sharpen your tools You don't need to grind all break, just make meaningful upgrades: Brush up on a skill you haven't touched in a while Run through a couple of mock interview questions Build a fresh resume version tailored to your ideal role Set up job alerts so January doesn't catch you off guairs These little tune-ups compound fast. 5.set realistic expectations and protect your energy Holiday job searching isn't about hustling nonstop. It's about using a quieter period to move a few steps ahead. Give yourself permission to rest, celebrate and be with people who refill your tank. You'll show up sharper and more confident in January. Final Thoughts The job market doesn't pause for Christmas and you don't need to either. If you keep a light but steady pace during the holidays, you'll enter the new year with momentum instead of starting cold.

You've got this!