The twinkling lights of my Christmas tree cast a shadow on my job search journey. Here I am, in my 50s, an expat or immigrant (I still haven’t decided which one fits now) navigating the challenging landscape of professional reinvention during the most festive time of the year – all while dancing to the strict rhythm of Dutch unemployment system.

The Professional Winter Freeze

I feel like the European holiday season is a job seeker’s nightmare. Dutch companies are essentially in hibernation mode, with HR departments running on skeleton staff and hiring managers more focused on holiday plans than recruitment…..to be honest, I completely understand. But here’s the catch – my WW-Uitkering (unemployment benefit) demands that I keep searching, documenting and proving my commitment to finding work.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Instead of succumbing to seasonal despair, I’ve transformed this seemingly impossible period into a strategic career mission. Every application, every networking attempt, every new skill becomes a calculated move in my professional chess game.

My Survival Toolkit:

1. Meticulous Documentation
   • Screenshot every job application
   • Prepare ironclad evidence for UWV check-ins
2. Strategic Networking
   • LinkedIn has become my virtual lifeline
   • Pursuing networking conversations (which totally count as a job search activity – yippie)!

Leveling Up My Digital Communication Skills

With +20 years of corporate marketing experience, I recognise that the marketing landscape is evolving rapidly. This period of professional transition has become my opportunity to strategically upgrade my digital communication skills – transforming my traditional marketing expertise into modern, multi-channel content strategies.  I’m not just learning new tools; I’m expanding my professional toolkit:

• Narrative Development: crafting compelling stories that translate complex experiences into engaging content
• Digital Discoverability: mastering SEO techniques to increase content visibility across platforms
• Visual Communication: developing video editing skills to create professional, high-quality visual narratives

Emotional Survival Guide

Maintaining hope isn’t just about professional strategies – it’s about human connection and personal growth. My support network is everything to me during this challenging period. I’m leaning heavily on personal and professional relationships cultivated over years – former colleagues who offer advice, send job leads and friends that provide much-needed moral support.

Lately, a lot of my victories have come in unexpected forms. When the job search feels overwhelming, I celebrate the tangible progress I’ve made:

• Growing my YouTube channel from zero to more than 250 subscribers in less than six months
• Improving my Dutch language skills with every conversation at the local market
• Creating content that resonates with fellow expats and job seekers

These aren’t just small wins – they’re proof of my resilience. Each subscriber, each awkward Dutch conversation, each networking connection is a testament to my ability to adapt and grow. The job market might be frozen, but my personal growth is anything but stagnant.

I’m also learning to reframe setbacks:

• A rejected job application becomes a chance to refine my approach
• A challenging language exchange becomes an opportunity for cultural connection
• A quiet day becomes space for skill development and self-reflection

A Note of Resilience

To my fellow job seekers in your 50s: this isn’t just a job search. This is a complete professional reimagining. The holiday season might feel cold, but our determination burns bright.  My UWV digital paperwork is meticulously filled. My online portfolio is polished. My spirit? Shaky at times but unbreakable.

The job will come. And when it does, I’ll be infinitely more interesting. My skills will have expanded, my toolkit will be richer and I’ll definitely not be the same professional I was a few months ago.  Let’s just remember to keep enjoying the journey!