No, you can’t buy your unemployed friend a new job unfortunately (if only it was possible!), but you can buy them a useful gift that will assist them in their job search. Here are 10 gift ideas that will help buying for your job seeking loved one a little easier this holiday season.
1.) An Inspiring Book
“Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0” is a great title full of creative ideas to refresh anyone’s job search, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” can provide focus and new skills, and “What Color is Your Parachute” helps to fine-tune passions and breathe new life into those in transition.
2.) Education
Many universities, colleges, adult education centers, professional associations, and others offer gift certificates for their non-credit courses, or allow you to purchase for someone else. A seminar, workshop, or certification course can help to sharpen current skills or provide much needed new skill development, and looks great added onto a resume.
3.) Interview Clothing & Style
Everyone likes to look sharp! Instead of going for the bunny slippers and flannel PJ pants, try investing in a really sharp tie or dress shirt to send your friend off to their interview in style. Other great gifts of style include a gift certificate for a make-up artist or hairstylist, or even a one-on-one session with a personal stylist to develop their own visual brand!
4.) Memberships or Subscriptions
A membership to a professional association will offer lots of opportunities for the year to come, including networking and professional development events, and can be added to a resume. Subscriptions to trade publications will also help your job seeker stay ahead of trends in their industry.
5.) A Professional Headshot
With the entire world going “social media” wild, a gift certificate for a professional headshot is a great gift. Putting a fresh face out into the world on a LinkedIn or Facebook profile, or your friend’s own consulting website can not only boost their confidence, but their business activities as well!
6.) Practical Gifts
If your friend is long-term unemployed it might be difficult for them to just 'get by' this season. Practical gifts might be more survival-based and not as fun, but are often very valued. Think of everyday things they need to live (and look for a job) such as gift cards for gas, groceries, on-the-go food, etc.
7.) Fun Gifts
All work and stress and no play can kill someone’s mood! Being unemployed often means entertainment and luxury budgets are slashed first. So why not treat your friend to a night out with a restaurant gift certificate, golf or indoor climbing gym passes, or tickets to see a movie, play or concert? Getting out of the house for some stress reduction and fun makes a great gift!
8.) Miscellaneous Supplies
Simple yet classy, a leather portfolio is a great tool to take to an interview that can hold business cards, resumes, pens, interview questions and notes, and more. A functional planner or organizer will assist in keeping all of those interviews and networking events organized to ensure that nothing gets missed! Nice resume paper is a great supply to have on hand. Business cards or a website are fantastic marketing tools can be obtained very inexpensively through Vistaprint.com (gift certificate maybe?).
9.) Career Coaching Session or Resume Edit and Review
Maybe they could use a resume refresher, a little direction and support, or some good old focus for their job search? Call in the experts! Give the gift of some special one-on-one time with career development specialist, something that job seekers often don’t treat themselves to, but could definitely use! (I’m only $30 an hour for those who can’t come to Livermore, CA for a free session! Go to meganpittsley.com for more info!)
10.) Free Gifts
Introductions to key contacts of yours, a helpful informational interview with a friend in their industry, a LinkedIn recommendation, and your ongoing support are free and also very valued!
Comments
Great suggestions, Megan!
Love this article Megan. I'd like to share it with my clients on my website, but can't get the link to work. Do you provide permission to reprint/post?
A great variety of fun, practical ideas. I'll be using this list.
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