Thanksgiving Traditions to Utilize in Your Job Search

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Thanksgiving is famous for its traditions- family, food, and of course, football. While the holiday may not seem to have much to do with job searching, in fact there are many parallels to be found between the traditional aspects of Thanksgiving and job searching.

Check out these Thanksgiving traditions job seekers can use to help with their search:

Plan ahead

Planning for Thanksgiving starts early for most families, sometimes months in advance. Creating a menu and deciding where to house the meal takes time and planning, and so should your job search.

Start early by researching companies, preparing a detailed resume (for resume advice, look here), and always keeping interview skills fresh. In addition, narrow down the field you want to work in and what exactly you want to do. Keep a list of companies you may be interested in, just for future reference. You can’t plan a meal for Thanksgiving last-minute, and you shouldn’t conduct your job search that way, either.

Use your network

You would ask your family to pass the potatoes, so why not ask your network to pass along opportunities they hear about or serve as a reference? Most people are more than willing to help out job seekers, because at one point in time they’ve been there.

Searching for a job can be overwhelming, but using your network can help simplify it by exposing you to opportunities you may not have otherwise known about.

Related: Networking Tips For Job Seekers

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Avoid taking on too many applications the way you would avoid overeating. If you bite off more than you can chew, you may find that the quality of your cover letters and interviewing decreases. Focus on a few jobs at a time and put a lot of effort into them.

Research the companies, spend time writing detailed cover letters and prepare fully for interviews. This will help you see more success than sending out a myriad of general resumes.

Know job searching can be a team effort

Football is a key part of Thanksgiving for many families, and your job search should also have an element of teamwork to it. Using your network for references, asking friends to proof-read resumes or cover letters, and even leaning on your family for support are all parts of the job search.

Searching for a job isn’t something you have to do entirely on your own- your network, friends and family are all on your team.

Thanksgiving is full of traditions, many of which hold lessons for your job search. While you’re enjoying your family and your food, think about how you can use those traditions to aid you in your next step, because ideally, by the following Thanksgiving you’ll have a job to add to your list of things to be thankful for.

What are other Thanksgiving traditions to utilize in your job search?

Related: What Valentine’s Day Can Teach You About Job Interviews