Should Job Seekers Take A Vacation?

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Your job search is like a full-time job. In fact, I’m sure many job seekers would argue that their job search takes up more time than a full-time job would.

That being said, a vacation is almost certainly one of the farthest things from your mind while you’re searching for a new job. For some, it’s because of financial reasons. For others, sparing even one day to recharge seems out of the question.

What do you think: Should job seekers take a vacation?

I’m going to argue for both sides.

Why You Need A Vacation

Finding a new job is tough. It’s stressful and confusing. It drains your energy. A vacation – no matter how small – is a great way to recharge your batteries and get a fresh perspective on things. After all, everyone needs a break once in a while. Why not job seekers too?

If you’re considering taking a vacation, keep the following in mind:

• Unplug, but keep your phone handy. You never know when an employer might give you a call for an interview. It might also be helpful to connect your email account to your phone for periodic inbox checks.
• Complete job applications and next steps before taking off on a trip. That way, you won’t miss any application deadlines or look like an uninterested candidate.
• Be realistic about the amount of time you can vacation. You probably can’t afford being unemployed for too long – so don’t squash your chances at landing a new job by jetting off for several weeks!
• Keep finances in mind. Hopefully you’ve got a small nest egg put away to get you through your job search. Consider how realistic a vacation is at this point in your career, and plan accordingly.

Why You Should Sit Out On The Fun – For Now

On the flip side, many job seekers cannot afford to take the time off of their job search or don’t have the funds to take a trip—and that’s okay. There are other ways to take a break. Go out for a walk, head out to dinner with a friend, rent a movie, or participate in one of your favorite hobbies. Taking a few hours to relax can help you re-focus your job search efforts and bring back your sanity.

What do you think? As a job seeker, did you take a vacation? If not, how did you unwind in your spare time?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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3 Comments

1. 

   STB03

   April 22, 2013 at 12:32 PM

   When do I tell a recruiter that I’ve booked a vacation, assuming I get a job interview.

   Do I mention it during the interview or when (if) the job is offered to me.

   Assuming I get a job offer, if they want me to start right away and I can’t because my vacation is non-refundable, can they take back the offer?

   Reply
2. 

   J L R

   March 20, 2013 at 6:31 PM

   I cannot job-hunt all the time, I get burned out. I take walks & work on genealogy in my spare time, I have to, I’d go crazy if I spent all day looking a job information.

   Reply
3. 

   Andrew Murphy

   March 20, 2013 at 11:51 AM

   I all for taking a vacation especially if you had it planned ahead of time. Look at it as a reward for the hard work you did on your job search. Maintaining a sense of normalcy reduces job search stress.

   Reply