It’s holiday season at work.

You know the drill. People are hard to get ahold of. Your office building’s lobby is decorated. You have a secret Santa gift to buy. Maybe there’s a holiday lunch this year instead of an evening party but, otherwise, you are seized by a sense of déjà vu…including that sinking feeling that another year has passed, yet you’re still working at the same job. How, exactly, did that happen? Well, simply put, our capacity for self-sabotage when it comes to getting what we want the most — in this case, a new job — is limitless.

February:     “It’s freezing and the middle of the winter. I’m sure no one is hiring.”

July:               “It’s really quiet everywhere. Plus, I have a ton of vacation time I want to take.”

September:  “It’s our busy season. There’s absolutely no way can I get out of the office.”

Then, there’s the biggest excuse-month of all: December. With all of the aforementioned activities associated with it, you don’t need to try very hard to avoid looking for a new job. Combine that with the classic excuse — “I need to update my resume” — and you may find yourself looking back at 2018 in much the same way you’re looking back at 2017.

Meanwhile, the reasons people want to leave their job and find a new job remain stubbornly consistent. According to Harvard Business Review, they are:

• Do not like their boss
• Do not believe there is opportunity for advancement
• Do not make enough money

That incredibly quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s? This year, use that time to plan your job search strategy so that next year you’ll look back at the year from a career vantage point of happiness.

If you need support in planning — and executing — your job search, contact San Francisco-based resume writer, Robin Kelley, at Resume Preferred to schedule an introductory call.

If you’re a senior executive and are seeking to capture and convey your value in the marketplace—and achieve the next level of career success — contact Leadership Career Consultant Amy Phillip.