Have you been laid off and now have to face the holidays? Here’s a practical survival guide for dealing with unemployment when everyone else but you is feeling merry and bright.
What’s Coming Up
- Why Holiday Layoffs Are More Difficult (and More Common) Than You Think
- How Your Personality Type Affects Layoff Recovery
- Survival Strategies for Holiday Unemployment
- Moving Forward After Getting Laid Off: Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Further Reading
Why Holiday Layoffs Are More Difficult (and More Common) Than You Think
It’s an ironic, Grinch-like fact that December and January are the peak season for layoffs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these two months consistently see the highest percentage of layoffs throughout the year, with December accounting for 12.6% of all layoffs and January for 12.2%.
If you’ve been laid off this holiday season, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Everyone around you is planning celebrations. You’re updating your resume and wondering how you’ll afford gifts. And quite likely stressing out a lot.
It would be hard enough to deal with losing your job any other time of the year, but during the holidays, it’s especially intense. Fortunately, understanding a key factor about your personality can open up a whole world of strategies for getting through the not-so-holly-jolly-anymore season.
How Your Personality Type Affects Layoff Recovery
Not everyone processes stress and setbacks the same way. In our long-running Handling Stress survey, over 63,000 respondents answered the question, “Do you effectively feel like you manage the stress in your life?”
The results reveal a 53-point gap between how different personality types manage stress. ENTJs (Commanders) appear to be the most composed, with nearly 83% reporting that they effectively manage stress. On the other extreme, only 29% of INFPs (Mediators) say the same.
Do you feel like you effectively manage the stress in your life?
Source: Handling Stress
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Your four-letter personality type tells only part of the story. The Assertive (-A) and Turbulent (-T) traits significantly influence how people respond to stress, even within the same personality type.
Let’s take a closer look at how ENTJs and INFPs answer this question. But this time, let’s focus on the variation between Assertive and Turbulent types.
Do you feel like you effectively manage the stress in your life?
Notice how nearly 77% of Assertive INFPs compared to only about 19% of Turbulent INFPs say that they effectively handle stress in their lives. That’s a striking 58-point gap within the same personality type. And less than half of Turbulent ENTJs – supposedly one of the most level-headed types – feel like they handle stress well.
What Makes Turbulent Personalities Struggle More?
Turbulent personalities typically experience more self-doubt and emotional intensity. Moments of unexpected hardship – like getting laid off during the holidays – can be especially difficult to work through.
If you’re a Turbulent personality trying to survive a holiday layoff, recognize that you’ll likely need more reassurance and support from others, self-compassion practices, and day-to-day structure than your Assertive counterparts.
Understanding your stress response and needs isn’t just psychological trivia. It’s self-awareness that will help you get through this mess.
Not sure whether you’re an Assertive or Turbulent personality type? Take our free personality test and find out.
Survival Strategies for Holiday Unemployment
Now comes the “survival guide” part of this article – concrete strategies to help you successfully get through the holidays while unemployed.
You’re about to face a gauntlet of situations that each demand something different from you. There’s the family gathering where everyone wants to know “So, what are you doing now?” There’s the pressure to give gifts when your budget just evaporated. There’s the networking opportunity at your neighbor’s party that you’re simultaneously dreading and hoping might lead somewhere.
And within all of that, you’ve got to take care of yourself.
Let’s break down some specific survival strategies to help you get through the most challenging holiday situations you’ll face.
Handling Questions About Your Work
You know what’s coming. From your favorite Aunt Susan to the neighbor you’re friendly with, everyone will make small talk about work and career plans.
If you’re an Assertive personality, you might naturally deflect these conversations. If you’re a Turbulent type, it can all feel overwhelming. You might spiral into self-doubt with each well-meaning question about your work.
So, this is what you’re going to do. Prepare brief responses before you need them: “I’m actually exploring new opportunities at the moment,” or “I’m hoping to find a better position with the right fit,” or simply “I’m taking time to evaluate what’s next.”
Remember, you don’t owe anyone detailed explanations about your employment status.
One thing you can do today: Write out a 30-second career soundbite and practice it in the mirror.
Giving Yourself Permission to Skip Holiday Events
And since we’re talking about small talk, it’s okay if you need to skip some holiday gatherings this year. There’s nothing wrong with being selective about which invitations you accept. Or choosing to leave early after you’ve made an appearance.
Assertive types can more readily make these calls without second-guessing themselves. Turbulent personalities, on the other hand, might agonize over every invitation they want to decline.
Here’s what you need to remember: Your mental health matters more than holiday events. Give yourself permission to skip social obligations without guilt. Seriously. Yes, you might let some people down, but it’s important to protect your emotional energy during an already difficult time.
One thing you can do today: Pick one event you’re dreading and politely decline the invitation.
Managing Gift-Giving When Money Is Tight
Gift-giving season feels very different after being laid off. It may be easier for Assertive types to maintain perspective on their financial constraints, but for Turbulent personalities “I can’t afford gifts” can quickly spiral into “I’m letting everyone down,” and then “I’m a complete failure.”
Set firm budgets for gifts and celebrations. Explore low-cost alternatives like homemade cookies instead of expensive presents. Explain your situation to others if you need to. Most people understand financial constraints better than you might expect.
One thing you can do today: Create a budget for the holidays. If you’re a spreadsheet kind of person, you know what to do. But you can also just pull out a pad of paper. Write down what you can afford to spend on gifts, food, and travel. Don’t forget to include a buffer for unexpected expenses.
Maintaining Self-Care Basics When Dealing with Job Loss
Holiday stress compounds unemployment stress. And your physical well-being directly impacts mental resilience.
The basics of taking care of yourself matter. You might be tempted to drink a little more than normal or to soothe your sorrows with too many delicious holiday cookies. But what you actually need is to maintain your regular sleep schedule, continue exercising, drink water, and eat well.
These aren’t luxuries when you’re managing compounded stress – they’re necessities. Assertive personalities might struggle less to maintain their routines when unemployed, but Turbulent types – especially those who also have the Prospecting trait – tend to be more vulnerable and may need extra vigilance with self-care basics.
One thing you can do today: Set a consistent bedtime for this week and stick to it, even on weekends.
Recognizing December as Prime Networking Season
So, here’s something to be optimistic about – December is actually a great time for networking.
According to a 2017 study by LinkedIn, around 70% of professionals landed their job through a personal connection at their company. And during the holidays? Professionals attend more social events, feel more generous with their time, and make hiring plans for January.
Assertive types may step into networking opportunities with confidence. Turbulent personalities, however, might dread these kinds of interactions at holiday events – especially Introverted Turbulent types. What if you say the wrong thing? What if people judge you for being unemployed?
The idea is to focus on connecting rather than directly asking for a job. Send messages to professional contacts you genuinely want to catch up with. Let relationships develop before asking for favors.
One thing you can do today: Reach out to three connections with genuine, personalized messages. Don’t mention job searching unless they ask. Just reconnect.
Using the Holidays for Job Search Preparation
Yes, layoffs increase and hiring slows down during the holiday season. But this slowdown also creates space to figure out the next right step. Spend time researching companies you’re interested in. Refine your resume and portfolio. Leaning into the reduced pressure of a quiet hiring season might actually help you lower anxiety around your job search while preparing to hit the ground running in January.
Your personality type can also guide your approach here. Assertive types might choose to dive into an active job search whereas Turbulent personalities may benefit from spending time in preparation mode.
One thing you can do today: Choose one company you’re interested in and spend 30 minutes researching their recent projects, culture, and open roles.
There is no sugar-coating the fact that getting laid off during the holiday season is hard. If you’re experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, or hopelessness please seek professional support. There’s no shame in asking for help.
Moving Forward After Getting Laid Off: Next Steps
The clash between everyone else’s holiday cheer and your own uncertainty can be painful. The financial pressure, the awkward conversations, the self-doubt – it all compounds during a season that’s supposed to be joyful.
If life just hurts right now, it’s okay.
Use what you know about yourself. Lean into your strengths. Watch for your typical stress patterns. Take the next small step forward. That’s all you need to do today.
And for tomorrow – you have strategies.
You’ll get through this. Not all at once, but just one conversation, one boundary, one day at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are holiday layoffs so common?
Year-end layoffs are so common because they align with fiscal year planning and budget cycles. Companies finalize their financial positions in December and make workforce adjustments before the new year. Understanding this pattern doesn’t make it easier, but it does remove the personal sting. This isn’t about you specifically.
Should I pause my job search during the holidays or keep going?
Keep your job search going during the holidays, but adjust your expectations and strategy. Many companies slow hiring between Christmas and New Year’s, but they’re also planning for January starts.
How can I network during the holidays without being pushy?
You can network more successfully by focusing on connection rather than directly asking for jobs. Attend holiday gatherings and mention you’re exploring new opportunities if asked, but let conversations flow naturally. Your personality type’s natural communication style – whether you’re energized by large gatherings or prefer one-on-one coffee meetings – should guide your networking approach.
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