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Taking time this week to thank your most supportive employers
Editorial by Christian Saint Cyr
National Director / Canadian Job Development Network
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At what point does December become a write-off? Many people aren't even at work this week and I'm curious how many people will even think to attend #MotivatingMondays this morning. Next week we'll be doing a discussion topic, but even I am planning to pre-record it.
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Likely, few people will even be at work December 23rd through January 6th, given that New Year's day is a Wednesday and hey, let's just write off the rest of the week.
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With holiday parties, shopping, personal responsibilities, planning and general distractions like the cookies in the breakroom, it's hard to get anything done during December.
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Maybe December doesn't look like every other month of the year. Perhaps, as the Grinch might say, or at least his narrator, perhaps December could mean a little bit more.
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As a general rule, I would encourage job developers to use December to take an opportunity to express their thanks to employers they work with on a regular basis. This helps to strengthen the relationship and illustrate you're concerned about more than just placing your latest student or client.
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This should be done early in December, before people get too distracted. You may choose some activities such as:
- Sending holiday cards
- Dropping in with a gift basket or a box of chocolates
- Bringing something special to a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade
- Creating something festive like an ornament or wreath and dropping them off
- Preparing and sharing a certificate to commemorate their inclusive hiring practices
- Organizing a media campaign recognizing progressive local employers
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These activities can be very thoughtful, but take time and effort. Certainly, the recent postal strike hindered even the distribution of holiday cards.
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I often think of the period between Christmas and the first Monday after New Year's, as the 'black-out period'. It's like when a space capsule comes back to the earth, the period when it's traveling through the atmosphere and it's out of communication.
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You can spend the next two weeks catching up on your email or tidying your office, or just talking with colleagues. On the other hand, you could spend them making some meaningful connections.
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If you happen to be working this week, why not redirect your efforts to connect with employers in a more meaningful way. While many offices, non-profits and public sector employers are going to be closed-up for the next two weeks, other employers in retail, food service, entertainment and accommodation are going to be busier than ever. Why not take these next two weeks to spread a little holiday cheer.
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Make a list of employers you've worked with in the last year who are likely to be at work the next two weeks. Plug them into your calendar being conscious of when they are least busy. For a retail store or hotel, it might be first thing in the morning while for a restaurant it might be in the lull between the lunch and dinner rushes.
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As you drop into businesses, you might want to bring along a cup of coffee or some warmed apple cider and some pastries or cookies. Be sure to include a thoughtful card expressing in specific terms how much you appreciate the support they've provided you in the last year. This can be a really great opportunity to connect with some of your most supportive employers. You don't need to do dozens, perhaps it's just four or five.
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You may think this won't do anything to employ more of your clients or students, but perhaps this is a great way of getting this employer to be a stronger advocate of your services in the business community.
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If you aren't thrilled with the idea of braving the mean streets of Frederickton or Hamilton or Surrey, in the closing weeks of 2024, there's a lot you can do from your desk or your cell phone.
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You can certainly create an email template but then modify it for specific employers to reference employment opportunities they created for your clients that were really meaningful. Try to personalize it as much as possible, while respecting confidentiality restrictions. The employers we work with are often changing people's lives for the better and this is a great time to acknowledge it.
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You can also use social media to praise local employers for the work they do. If you do this, be sure to tag the employers you are talking about so they are alerted to your comments.
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You might want to also leave Yelp reviews or reviews on other sites, to express appreciation for what employers are doing in the community. Just because your review isn't about their food, doesn't mean it's not reviewing what the business is doing in the community.
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It often frustrates me that so little is accomplished in the two or three weeks at the end of each year, even though I myself want to use this time to appreciate my family and those I love.
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I think this is because I know so many people we are working with are anxious, frustrated, lonely and struggling with financial and personal issues. They don't want employers to take a three week break from hiring. This is one way that we can help further their interests going into 2025.
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Before I wrap up, I just want to take a moment to thank you so much for your support and encouragement. We've now been doing the Canadian Job Development Network for more than a year and I've found the insights I get back from you in emails, social media messages and certainly from #MotivatingMondays have been incredibly valuable in knowing what to put into these weekly emails.
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Every day, I get to connect with job developers and other employer engagement professionals who are doing amazing work in helping employers recognize the tremendous value and support they can get from candidates they might not otherwise have considered. You have a tremendous skill set and without great job developers, employers wouldn't see the value of the career development sector. Thank you!
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We’ll be discussing how employers feel about lying at our #MotivatingMondays meeting of the Canadian Job Development Network, Monday Dec. 23rd at 8:30am Pacific; 9:30am Mountain; 10:30am Central; 11:30am Eastern; 12:30pm Atlantic and at 1pm in Newfoundland.
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On the morning of Monday December 23rd, 'Click this Link' to join the session LIVE.
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