Janice Worthington MA, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP Email

What Do Smart, Successful People Do in December?  December is an interesting month for the job seeker. For some unknown reason many of us seem to have a temporary attack of what we used to call "senioritis" when I was in school. Remember senioritis? We all knew our high school experience was coming to an end and despite our parents’ strongest efforts, around April Fool’s Day, we all became relatively unproductive until graduation day in June. We saw no point to completing our studies. After all, with graduation day so close what else could we possible learn? Why do perfectly intelligent, talented people lose focus following Thanksgiving? Perhaps it’s the holiday lights, perhaps it’s the beautiful music or even the anticipation of gifts that render normally productive professionals immobile. Perhaps, like our senior year in high school, we see the end of a chronological year as a signal (or excuse) to give up on our goals and lose our purpose. Or perhaps it’s simply the concept of the herd mentality that bears responsibility for our unusual behavior. You know, no one else is getting anything done so my lack of commitment will appear relatively inconspicuous. Besides if everyone else is "goofing off" there can’t be any consequences. I find it intriguing that in December everyone overeats, drinks too much, spends too much on gifts and totally gives up on job search. But in the tradition of New Year’s resolutions, the moment the clock strikes midnight, the weight-loss clinics, stop smoking therapists and employment counselors work overtime. What happens to us in December and why do all of us recover so quickly in January? Good question but incorrect premise. Whenever I survey the most successful of my clients, one thing remains constant...nothing distracts them from their pace or their goal. They still manage to celebrate all holidays and play with gusto but without getting lost in the moment. This is a perfect time to take an inventory of your work mission because we focus more on people and personal satisfaction during the holiday season. Based on what you prefer in the workplace, what will enable you to look forward to going to work everyday? Most people hate their jobs because they were accepted without considering our personal priorities and preferences. In other words if we don’t know what it takes to make us happy so we have no frame of reference by which to measure a prospective job offer. Make a list of what fulfillment means to you. Check it twice! This is a perfect time to begin to prepare for a job search. Get your résumé is tip-top shape, begin to research industries and companies and make the most of those holiday parties by networking. Find out who the industry "movers and shakers" are in your circle and make some calls! Remember! Companies review résumés, conduct interviews and extend job offers even in December! If you can possibly manage to stay the course you could hold a tremendous advantage over the candidate who has decided to "write off" the remainder of the year. He lacked motivation and, alas, he won’t be competing with you!

Janice Worthington is President of Worthington Career Services, Ohio’s oldest resume preparation firm and one of the oldest in the U.S. With 14 years of corporate recruiting experience, Worthington Career Services opened its doors focused on applicant empowerment in 1973. She is known for advising some of America’s highest-ranking industry leaders. Please send Janice your questions at janice@worthingtonresumes.com . For more information on Janice, please visit her website at http://www.worthingtonresumes.com/!