5 Ways to Prepare for Post-Holiday Job Searching

The average job search falls into a slump during the holiday season. Most hiring managers and potential employers put their duties on hold until January, and job seekers may find themselves desiring to hang up the stress of employment hunting in favor of seasonal activities with the family. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of post-holiday employment without sacrificing the joy of the season.

1. Work on Your Resume

A good resume remains a key aspect of the modern job search, so take some time this holiday season to check for grammar and spelling errors, improve your job summary, and double-check your formatting. You can also update your experience, skills or education, if needed. Take a moment to ensure you have an adequate number of recent references from previous employers or mentors. If not, make a note to contact potential references several days after the holidays with a request.

2. Volunteer

Many nonprofit organizations place a heavy focus on charity work during the holidays, from packing food for hungry families to wrapping gifts for children. Not only does volunteering boost your morale for the January job search but it's also a good way to meet contacts during the holidays. Plus, volunteer work is perfect for filling an employment gap in your resume.

3. Amp Up Your Social Media Presence

Your social media accounts are often the first place potential employers go to learn more about you, so take some time to remove questionable status updates or photos from your Facebook profile, and add a professional head shot to your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Don't forget to spruce up your LinkedIn profile by filling in your work history, skills and personal information to boost your job search.

4. Participate in Holiday Networking Events

Getting an interview during the holiday season is often a challenge, but you can easily meet managers, HR professionals and other potential contacts at holiday social events. While networking, don't forget to prepare a 30-second pitch stating your skills, experience and accomplishments for anyone who might ask.

5. Practice Your Interview Skills

Without an impending interview over your shoulder, brushing up on interview skills for your job search is easier than ever. Practice your answers to standard interview questions, your tone and posture, and your questions for the interviewer so that you can enter the new year prepared for a next-day interview. Carefully craft a statement conveying your strengths, top skills and experience to answer the interviewer favorite, "Why should we hire you?" Instead of practicing in front of the mirror, ask a friend or family member to give you a mock interview in between holiday festivities.

Avoid staying stagnant during the holiday season to increase your chances of finding post-holiday employment. If you still find yourself itching to continue the job search, consider seasonal employment at a retail store to fill up your employment gap while earning some extra cash.

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