1. Words of Wisdom Take stock now for 2011
2. Article: 9 Ways to Keep Your Job Search Alive in December
3. Upcoming Events: Networking Roundtables Dec. 17, 12-1:00PM and Jan. 7, 12-1:30PM
4. Skill Sharpening Services Reinvigorate Your Job Search

Take Stock Now for 2011

December is an excellent time to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past 12 months.

Celebrate your successes and take advantage of those valuable learning experiences gained in the last year to make 2011 fabulous.

9 Ways to Keep Your Job Search Alive in December

There are good reasons for staying active in your job search during December. The two primary ones are: most job seekers drop out between Thanksgiving and the New Year significantly increasing the odds that you will get the job, and those employers with open positions in December are motivated to hire before the New Year.  

Below are nine actions you can take to keep your search alive in the remaining days of December.

1. Accept all invitations. This is the most robust time of year for meeting and reconnecting with others so smile, put on your festive sweater and get out the door. Attend holiday parties, chamber mixers, pot luck dinners and casual soirees with the neighbors. Skip the alcohol so you are in top form.

2. Write an upbeat holiday letter to friends and family letting them know that you are ready to take your next career step and what you think it may be. No self pity allowed; project confidence and enthusiasm. Let them know you will follow up after the holidays to get their suggestions and advice.

3. Reach out to others. Send a note of congratulations to someone who has earned an award or otherwise been recognized in the last 12 months. Tell them what you appreciate about them and the contributions they have made.

4. Call old friends or those you have been out of touch with and suggest meeting for coffee. They may welcome a chance to rest and catch up after rushing from store to store for bargains. Keep the focus on them and arrange to meet again after the holidays.

5. Write a short note or email to friends or colleagues and include an article of interest or e-link about a subject that is near and dear to them.

6. Update your Linkedin.com profile so when recruiters find you they will like what they see. Be sure to include a professional photo since this increases the likelihood of being contacted.

7. Make a list of your top companies, identify the potential hiring manager and write a target letter to her. Suggest that you meet to discuss how you can improve her bottom line, increase sales or improve efficiencies.  Follow up a couple of days later to schedule a meeting.  

8. Pre-book networking appointments for the first few weeks of January. This gives you something to look forward to after the New Year. There are few things more demoralizing than restarting your job search from scratch January 2.

9. Create a job search action plan for 2011. Identify those actions you took which made you successful and what you did or didn’t do that caused you to fall short. Determine what you want to do more of in 2011 and what you want to do less of, or stop doing in the coming year.

Looking for work at any time can be challenging, during the holidays it can be especially difficult. Taking action and looking for ways to say “thank you” can help you shift the focus. I wish you much success in the coming year!

The Networking Roundtables offer support, guidance and networking opportunities to individuals in job and career transition.

Fri. Dec. 17, 2010 12-1:00

Job Search Action Plan for 2011 FREE

Fri. Jan. 7, 2011 12-1:30

Name Your Year

Guest Speaker

Leslie Bruhn, Founder of the Women's Wealth Group $25

1010 Cass Street, Ste. B5, Monterey, CA 93940

Register Now!

Limit 12

Click here to register