There are two groups of job seekers. Those who need a job right away and those who have the luxury of taking their time, either because they’re already working or they have savings to last them a while.
If you’re in the first group, you should obviously delay your vacation until after you’ve found work. But if you’re in the second group, it really depends on how badly you want to find a new job.
So should you job hunt while you’re on vacation?
Some say that if you’re working a full-time job already, you should use your vacation time to job search. That way you can send out resumes, check job listings and make phone calls on your own time, rather than during office hours. And you’ll be more available for interviews.
But there’s really no reason why you can’t do both. After all, you’ve earned that vacation and are probably more than ready for it! Plus, taking a break can help your job search in the long run. You’ll be well rested and will have had time to reflect on the road ahead.
Just keep in mind that you’ll need to be flexible and make some concessions. For one, it’s better to put more weight on the “vacation” part of the vacation, rather than the destination part. If you’re serious about finding a new job sooner rather than later, you’ll need to stay close to home. Your primary objective is to relax, recharge and have some fun while using your free time as an opportunity to find a new job. But in order for it to work, you need to prepare.
Have a Plan
Ideally, you should try and set up interviews before your vacation begins. And if possible, try and schedule them close together. For instance, if all your interviews are scheduled for early in the week, it will make it easier to leave town later in the week.
Have a plan about whom you’d like to connect with and send them your resume before you go. Make sure your LinkedIn page is up-to-date and that you have access to your resume while on vacation.
Stay Local
In terms of planning where to go, think local rather than global. Going out of the country, or even out of your time zone, makes it harder to stay in touch with potential employers. There’s plenty of time to fly half across the globe after you’ve landed your dream job.
Most cities are within driving distance to many fabulous vacation spots. Or you could abandon the idea of leaving town altogether by staying at a great hotel or resort in your city. That way, you’ll be close by if called in for a last minute interview. Perhaps not the most convenient option, but better than no vacation at all.
Have a Schedule
Of course, these days, it’s easier to be away without really being “away.” It goes without saying that wherever you stay, make sure you have access to your cell phone, a laptop and the Internet.
Put aside at least an hour or two every day to devote to your job search. This includes sending emails, making calls, updating social media and checking job alerts and online listings.
The rest of the time, be ready to respond at any given moment to an employment inquiry. This means, of course, having your smart phone or iPad on hand to regularly check messages and updates. For many of us, this is something we constantly do already, whether we’re at the beach, at home or riding a bike.
For better or worse, technology has enabled us to do many seemingly incongruous things at once – like looking for a job while you’re on vacation.
