Job Search Tips from the Holiday Rush: What 80 Million Travelers Can Teach Us About Hiring

By Julia Levy

If you are one of the estimated 80 million Americans traveling this Thanksgiving (like me), you already know the drill. You’ve checked the weather, you’ve packed your bags (probably overpacked), and you are mentally preparing for the inevitable delays.

Whether you are staring down a 3 hour TSA line or stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95, you are actually in the perfect headspace to understand the modern job market.

Strangely enough, the chaotic pilgrimage to Grandma’s house has a lot in common with the journey to your next career move.

As we head home after our turkey coma, here is how to navigate the "travel chaos" of your job search without losing your cool.

1. The "Itinerary" is Your Strategy

Nobody wakes up on Thanksgiving morning and then decides to buy a plane ticket. You book months in advance. You look at layover times. You have a backup plan if you miss a connection.

The Job Search Parallel:

Too many candidates "wing it." They apply to random "Easy Apply" postings without a clear destination.

They hope a job will just find them.

The Insider Fix:

Treat your career search like a cross-country road trip. Map it out. Who are your target companies? Who are the "drivers" (hiring managers) you need to know? If you don't have a destination, you're just driving in circles.

2. "Weather Delays" are Just Rejections in Disguise

We accept that weather delays happen. We don’t take it personally when a snowstorm grounds our flight in Chicago. We just sigh, grab a coffee, and look for the next flight out.

The Job Search Parallel:

When a recruiter ghosts us or we get a rejection email, we tend to internalize it. "Am I not good enough? Was it my resume?"

The Insider Fix:

Sometimes, it’s just the weather. Maybe the budget got frozen (snowstorm). Maybe an internal candidate took the seat (overbooked flight). As I write in From Hi to Hired, you have to "Mine the No for Gold." Stop taking "No" as a judgment on your worth. It’s just a delay. Re-route and keep moving.

3. The "Layover" is Your Best Networking Opportunity

The holiday season is essentially one giant, national layover. You are stuck in living rooms, kitchens, and airports with people you haven't seen in forever.

The Job Search Parallel:

Candidates often pause their search in November and December, thinking "nobody is hiring." Big mistake.

The Insider Fix:

This is prime networking season. You don’t need to pitch your resume over pumpkin pie, but you should be Connecting, not Concierging. Ask questions. "What projects are you working on next year?" "How is your company handling [Industry Trend]?" The best leads often come from casual conversations in the kitchen, not formal applications.

4. Sometimes the Detour is the Better Route

GPS apps like Waze have taught us that sometimes the fastest way forward involves getting off the main highway to avoid the traffic jam.

The Job Search Parallel:

We often get fixated on a straight line: Junior role -> Senior role -> Manager. But career paths in 2025 rarely look like ladders; they look like jungle gyms.

The Insider Fix:

Be open to the detour. A contract role, a lateral move to a better industry, or a project-based gig might get you to your destination faster than waiting in traffic for the "perfect" full-time title.

The Final Destination

The goal of Thanksgiving travel isn't the flight; it's the dinner. The travel is just the price of admission.

Similarly, the job search, the interviews, the awkward networking calls, the resume tweaks is just the price of admission for the career you want.

If you are stuck in traffic this weekend, take a deep breath. You’ll get home eventually. And if you stick with your strategy, you’ll get to the new job, too.

Safe travels and happy hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Job Hunting

Is it worth applying for jobs during Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Yes. While job posting volume may decrease slightly, competition decreases significantly. This is the best time to network and get your resume in front of hiring managers who are planning their headcount for Q1.

How can I network during the holidays without being annoying?

Focus on being a "Connector." Instead of asking for a job immediately, ask about their company's goals for the new year. Use holiday gatherings to build relationships, not just to distribute your resume.

What is the "Black Hole" in hiring?

The "Black Hole" refers to the experience of applying for a job online and never hearing back. This often happens due to high volumes of applicants and automated filtering systems. In From Hi to Hired, I discuss strategies to bypass this by building direct connections.

Need a guide for your journey?

If you know a student or recent grad struggling with their career "travel plans," grab a copy of From Hi to Hired. It makes the perfect stocking stuffer to help them land their dream internship or first job.