3 Reasons the Holidays Should Not Slow Your Internship or Job Search

You might be heading out for the holiday break, but that doesn’t mean your internship or job search needs to come to a complete halt. In fact, this is a great time to continue looking for new opportunities and building out your network. To kick the new year off on the right foot, here are three reasons why this time of year is prime for career exploration:

1. Your peers are probably taking a break from their search. 

Not only are businesses slowing down operations this time of year, but so are other internship and job seekers. That means that you might have a greater chance of your application being seen by a recruiter this season — especially between Christmas and New Year’s Day — when many talent teams are still hard at work, even if schools are closed. At the same time, it’s important to balance your search with other holiday obligations, and to not let your search completely take over your holiday season. 

Here are some opportunities to help you in your search this season: 

(Note: even if these companies aren’t hiring for your perfect-fit role right now, it never hurts to reach out and build a connection to a company you’re really interested in, or keep them on your radar.)

• 8 Companies With Standout Software Engineering Internships
• 10 Strong Rotational Programs to Kickstart Your Career
• 15 Companies With Great Entry-Level Sales Roles
• 16 Opportunities to Break Into Business
• 5 Companies to Set You Up for a Successful Career in Fintech

2. Holiday parties can be great opportunities to learn about internships and job openings.

“What do you do for work?” is a popular question that’s bound to come up in gatherings this holiday. And you never know who you might meet at a holiday party that could help you in your career search, whether it be someone doing something you find interesting, or someone who knows someone hiring in your field of interest. Don't be afraid to strike up conversations with people at these events, and ask about their work and experiences. While we don’t recommend bringing a copy of your resume to holiday gatherings, the more people you talk to, the more likely you are to learn about potential internships and job openings, and build out your network.

3. You can mitigate holiday stress by giving yourself something positive to focus on — and start the new year right. 

The holidays can be a stressful time. But taking some time to make progress on your search for an internship or job can give you a sense of purpose and direction among the chaos, and help you feel productive and motivated. Plus, heading into the new year with some options and direction is a great way to welcome in 2023.  When someone does inevitably ask about how your search is going while you’re on break, we have the resources to guide you through navigating those questions — so that doesn’t have to be an added stressor for you.    

The holidays can be an ideal time to search for an internship or job — and help you mitigate the stress that comes with this time of year. Plus, this is a great time to make sure your resume is in good shape, and that you are prepared to excel in upcoming interviews — such as by having questions to ask your interviewer on deck. On the other hand, it’s also important to take a break and give yourself some time to relax, so be sure to also schedule in some ‘me’ time too!