There seems to be a conclusion among job seekers that hiring comes to a complete halt during the holiday season. Some even believe it makes sense to sit back, enjoy the season and wait for companies to post new jobs in conjunction with the New Year. However the holidays are not a time to let up on job search efforts. Consider the following twelve tips to make sure you skate into the New Year strong!

1. Make a list of people you should reconnect with and check it twice. The holidays are a great excuse to send a note with nothing more than well wishes.
2. If you had interviews this fall and are still awaiting closure or next steps from the company send them a holiday card and stay on their radar screen.
3. Pick up the phone and have a live conversation with a former classmate, colleague, or friend.
4. Let people know if you will be visiting a city or town where they live. Ask for get together for coffee or some eggnog.
5. Update your LinkedIn profile. Make sure it is not simply a copy of what is on your resume.
6. Review your resume and make sure it documents accomplishments and achievements, especially if it has not been updated in the last six months.
7. Make a timeline of what you want to accomplish over the next three months starting with January and a plan to stick to that.
8. Spend time researching companies of interest. Go beyond just looking at the company website. Look for books or whitepapers that executives in the company may have written and become familiar with what it important to them.
9. Establish a process for keeping track of your contacts, outreach, and follow-up. This can be a simple spreadsheet.
10. Download one or two job search apps to your phone. Consider: Job Search by Indeed.com (Free) or Job Search Engine by LinkUp.com (Free)
11. Read in general. Pick up a business magazine and read articles on topics you might typically overlook. This may come in handy during an interview or networking event.
12. Practice interviewing. Record yourself answering behavioral interview questions that you can easily find online. Think about how confident you sound and how compelling your response is.

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year!