Thanksgiving job search tips

As the Thanksgiving weekend begins, most people slow down and that’s exactly why this time is a hidden advantage for anyone in the middle of a job search. With fewer meetings, less pressure, and a little extra breathing room, you get the rare chance to step back and reflect on your career without the usual weekday noise. Use this quiet window to check in with yourself: What do you want next? What have you outgrown? What strengths are you ready to highlight more boldly?

If you want a little extra boost this weekend, check out “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, a practical guide to building small, consistent routines that create big results. Just 10 minutes a day of intentional effort can transform your job search and set you up for success in the months ahead.

This weekend is also perfect for catching up on the small but high-impact tasks that set you up for success when hiring picks up in December and January. Refresh your resume with new achievements, give your LinkedIn profile a quick glow-up, and clean your “saved jobs” list so you can restart your search with focus. And because Thanksgiving is a time for appreciation, send a few heartfelt gratitude messages to mentors, colleagues, or recruiters who helped you this year, not to ask for anything, simply to say thank you. These simple touches strengthen relationships more than any networking script ever could.

Finally, set aside just one hour to build your December job search plan, the roles you want to target, the companies you’re excited about, and the skills you want to sharpen. Most people wait until January to restart their search, but you don’t have to. A little clarity and preparation this weekend can give you massive momentum when the market picks up in the weeks ahead. This holiday isn’t just a break, it can be the reset that puts you ahead of the crowd.