Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers No matter what you celebrate this December, there is certainly opportunity to leverage those celebrations to help you in your search for a new job. This post is part of a group effort of career professionals to provide advice and help for job seekers. Career Collective was started by Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter and Miriam Salpeter. Please see the links at the end of this post! There are holiday meetings and gatherings every night of the month. Go and meet new people or connect with people you havent seen recently. Temporarily forget about your quest for a job and just HAVE FUN. Each year in December, job seekers slow down their searches with excuses that No one is hiring. However, we all know that it takes weeks and months for a company to hire someone. December is a month before they get their new budgets. Employers are making their lists of good candidates and checking them twicehave you been naughty or nice? Naughty Job Seeker Never wrote a thank you letter Had a bad interview, wasnt prepared Didnt follow up Showed no interest in the job, company or interviewer Nice Job Seeker Wrote a meaningful thank you letter explaining their interest in the job, company and interviewer Usedcredible and relevant accomplishments during the interview Followed-up on schedule and with a positive attitude Knew about the company and asked good questions during the interview Be hopeful and remember the miracles that happen this time of year. And in the words of a young Natalie Wood I do believe, I do believe! @MartinBuckland,Elite Resumes, “Season’s Greetings and your Job Search” @GayleHoward,The Executive Brand, “It’s Christmas: And a ho-ho-ho-hum?” @KCCareerCoach,Career Chaos,“The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs” @resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog,“Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob” @heathermundell,life@work,“Have a Holly Jolly Job Search” @sweetcareers,Sweet Careers, “Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009? @careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers” @careerealism, CAREEREALISM.com, “Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism” @heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, “4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting” @LaurieBerenson, Sterling Career Concepts, “Three Resolutions to Take It Up a Notch” @KatCareerGal, Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, “Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search” @WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithillness.com, “Avoid this Minefield: Drive Your Bus!” @DawnBugni, “The Write Solution Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays?” @andyinnaples, Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time @erinkennedycprw, Professional Resume Services,“How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays” @keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, “Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year” @ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, “Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search” @GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, “Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?” @BarbaraSafani, Career Solvers, “Holiday Networking Can Facilitate New Year Opportunities” @expatcoachmegan, Career By Choice Blog, “Expat Networking: Holidays Are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow Your Network” @chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays” @JobHuntOrg, Job-Hunt.org, (Holiday) Party Your Way to a New Job