It’s that time of year again. Yep, the holiday season is just around the corner. That means with any new contracts that are coming open, you need to start planning your holiday schedule accordingly. To ensure everyone is on the same page, make sure you are speaking with your recruiter about any time off you may want or need. It is a very common practice to include time off for holidays in a contract, but you also have to be a little flexible. Chances are you will not be able to have all three holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s) off. It’s always best for travelers to be proactive in this situation. Make sure your recruiter knows the dates you are looking to have off, so they can inform the client when you are being presented to any job opening that will run through the holidays. And make sure you bring up any time off during the phone interview as well. That is your chance to speak with the one who will be approving your time off, so be prepared with exact dates. Also have a plan B in mind in case your first request is not a good fit for the facility.
Keep in mind requesting too much time off may mean you miss out on job openings that you really want. The key to every successful traveler is their adaptability and flexibility, and that includes planning time off for the holidays. Make sure they know you are willing to extend the contract end date, or work one or maybe two of the holidays in order to be able to be off for one or two. Finally, always keep in mind the other employees at the facility. They have families as well and will want some time off to be with their families too. So be willing to be a little flexible to get a little time off. This will ensure everyone is able to enjoy a very happy holiday season with their families and friends.