Christmas has a way of prompting questions we don’t always feel prepared for.
“What are you doing now?”
“Still in the same role?”
“Any plans for next year?”
For people who are looking for work, thinking about a change, or quietly unsure about their next step, these questions can feel uncomfortable. There’s often an assumption that you should have a neat answer, preferably a positive one.
But Christmas doesn’t need to be a pressure point. It can be something quieter and more useful.
You don’t need a polished pitch
If you’re job hunting or considering a change, it can be tempting to treat every social interaction as a networking opportunity. That usually backfires. People can sense when they’re being “worked”, and it rarely leads to anything meaningful.
A better approach is to aim for clarity rather than persuasion.
You don’t need to explain your whole situation. You don’t need to justify gaps, uncertainty, or change. And you certainly don’t need to sound upbeat if you’re not feeling it.
Simple, grounded responses work best:
- “I’m exploring a few options at the moment.”
- “I’m thinking about what I want next, rather than rushing.”
- “I’ve stepped back to reassess things.”
These answers are honest, and they invite conversation without oversharing.
Let curiosity do the work
Often, the most useful opportunities come not from talking about yourself, but from listening well.
Ask people what they’re enjoying about their work, what’s changed for them recently, or what they’re noticing in their industry. You’ll learn far more this way than by delivering your own story on repeat.
If someone shows genuine interest and asks more, you can share a little more detail. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Not every conversation needs to go anywhere.
Avoid the comparison trap
Christmas gatherings can amplify comparison. Someone always seems to be thriving, promoted, launching something new, or announcing a bold plan.
Try to remember that these moments are curated. You’re seeing a snapshot, not the full picture. Many people who sound confident now will be questioning things again by February.
Your path doesn’t need to match anyone else’s timeline.
A quiet intention is enough
Rather than setting a goal to “network more” over Christmas, consider a gentler intention:
- to notice who you enjoy talking to
- to reconnect naturally with one or two people
- to leave conversations feeling calm rather than depleted
That’s more than enough for this time of year.
Career change rarely happens because of one conversation. It happens because of many small moments of reflection, connection, and readiness.
Christmas can be one of those moments, without needing to be anything more.
