
How Do You Feel About Getting Back to Work After Your Wonderful Vacation?
Do you jump out of bed with energy, whistling in the shower, excited for the day ahead? Or do you find yourself wistfully reminiscing about those relaxing days at that idyllic French campsite or sunny Italian bungalow? Maybe you’d rather stay cozy in bed, dreading the workday that lies ahead.
If the last scenario resonates with you, you’re certainly not alone. According to research by Monsterboard, as many as 60% of people in the Netherlands experience the so-called ‘after-holiday dip.’ It’s completely normal to need some time to adjust to your daily routine again. As the American writer Elbert Hubbard once said:
“No one needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.”
But what if this dip is more than just returning to reality? What if this moment makes you realize it’s time to truly turn things around? The job market is better than ever, and if you feel this is the time to pursue a new challenge, it could be the perfect moment to take action.
Here are five tips to help you take the next step in your career:
Tip 1: Clarify your talents
The first step towards a new job is understanding your own talents. Take time to reflect on your achievements. Think about things in your life you’re proud of—moments where you thought, “I did that well.”
Break your life into seven-year periods:
Look for successes in each period.
Translate these successes into talents: what do these achievements say about what you’re good at?
Ask people around you what talents they see in you.
Tools like the TMA Talent Analysis can help you identify and articulate your talents.
Tip 2: Make your goal concrete
Picture your ideal workday. Dream freely and compare this vision to your current reality. Talk to others about your ideas, browse job listings online, and explore trends in the market.
Turn your vision into a clear goal:
Write down your next career step, why you want to take it, and why you’re suited for it.
Use this goal as the foundation for your LinkedIn profile and CV.
Tip 3: Practice your pitch
Once your goal is clear, practice presenting it. Start with people you trust.
Ask for feedback and refine your pitch. This short presentation will be your foundation for conversations with potential employers or clients and could even serve as the basis for a video CV.
Tip 4: Start networking!
Networking greatly increases your chances of finding a new job. Approach it the right way: ask for advice rather than directly asking for a job.
Many opportunities arise through personal connections, so having exploratory networking conversations can help you find the right opportunities that align with your talents and goals.
Tip 5: Seek support
While clarifying your talents and creating a goal may seem straightforward, it can be more challenging than expected in practice.
If you feel stuck, consider working with a career coach. You might find a great match with one of the coaches at Dynamisch Bureau, who can guide you in discovering the right direction. You can always schedule a free introductory meeting to see if it’s a good fit!
Best of Luck—Adjust or Take the Leap!
Whether you choose to rediscover your current work rhythm or decide to chart a new course, remember it’s important to listen to yourself and take steps that align with who you are. Success starts with small, intentional actions. You’ve got this!
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