# 034: December Slowdown Is Your Secret Weapon
“FYI: Only the email version of my newsletter includes FREE resources, curated job listings, and exclusive magical graphics.
If you’re reading this on the web, you’re only seeing half the sparkle. 💌”
I rebranded your entire newsletter, but you only get the magic in the email version of this newsletter.
Holaaa, tech writing friend!
Last week I eluded that I was testing Monday vs Sunday newsletter open rates…
As it turned out, Monday outperformed Sunday by 5.03%.
So, I’ve officially moved this newsletter to Mondays.
For now. muahaha 😈
Jobless Decembers Ain’t That Jolly.
It’s December! ☃️
But, while some folks are out here running around decorating trees and sipping over-sugary Starbucks peppermint lattes…
Some folks are dealing with a very different reality. 😔
Some folks feel a sick pit in their stomach because:
Job interviews are basically dead during December.
They’re not sure how they’ll pay rent next month.
They feel guilty they can’t buy their kids a gift.
When my Lead Tech Writer role was made redundant in July 2024, and I still didn’t have a job by December of that year…
You better believe I had daily panic attacks.
I was scared; I knew my savings were only going to last a few more months.
I absolutely did not have a jolly Christmas that year.
(But thanks for wondering!)
Does this feel like you right now? 💛
Please know you’re not alone.
And here’s something that might help: Use the slowness of December in your favor.
You’re not prepping for interviews right now.
You’re not sending 4000000+ job applications a week.
This is the PERFECT time to:
1) Upgrade (or FINALLY CREATE) your tech writing portfolio.
2) Rewrite your resume + LinkedIn.
3) Create a public/open-source project that actually helps people.
Don't make another “hello world” React app. 🙃 I’m talking about building something of public value. For example, build a knowledge base on anything you know deeply or feel passionate about. Make it public. Let hiring managers see that you build things that help and influence the world around you.
Two smart things I did in 2024 when I lost my job.
Start a newsletter and run A/B tests. (What, you didn’t know I’ve been A/B testing you all this time? Oops… did I just say that out loud?)
When hiring picked up again in January, every single manager commented on both of these items.
They liked that I had:
A public writing voice.
A talent for creating valuable content in diverse platforms.
Bonus skills in newsletter management, A/B testing email marketing, etc.
Turns out… all those things made me stand out.
Suddenly I wasn’t “just” a tech writer with a “typical” tech writer portfolio.
I was a unicorn tech writer! 😏
The kind who gets invited to interview even when a role is adjacent to DevRel, or Marketing, or Developer Experience.
Because I’d shown range and initiative.
I created public value, even when I was unemployed and scared.
So this week, I invite you to ask yourself:
What public value project will I create this December, that powerfully shifts how people see me in January?
You've got time.
You've got heart.
And you’ve got way more unicorn energy than you give yourself credit. 🫰🏽🦄
Hasta nuestra próxima aventura,
(Until our next adventure)
Quetzalli Writes
