Well, the presents if you bought any are given out and unwrapped and you will be eating turkey for a week. You are watching the Christmas specials repeated over and over from past years that are on telly this time of the year…you would go to the sales, but you have no money …Christmas was a struggle but you made it through.

So, should you get on with your job search? Well, one reality is that if you are on Job seekers allowance you have no choice in the matter and will be expected to continue your search for jobs and applications, or you will find when next you go to sign on that you are sanctioned and will get no money, but there are advantages to keeping up your job search at this time of the year.

Things may be a little quiet, In the UK especially this year, with extra holiday days added on for holidays that fall on a weekend, many businesses may be not fully open if at all until the New Year.

Though do not suppose there aren't any jobs out there therefore it’s not worth bothering. To the contrary, very often managers need to put employees in post ready for the New Year. Just like the periods leading up to the summer holidays it are often a good time for your job search.
This means you should use your time to re-focus on your career search, still send your CV, to advertised jobs and employers, it’s a quiet time and they could even have longer to scan it than usual, giving you a better chance of consideration

Evaluate your CV…does it need any work or change, an update perhaps? Check out sites for free CV reviews, and post that CV to as many as possible for a free professional opinion.

Check wherever your CV is already and take it off, then repost as this keeps it nearer the top of the pile. You may quite likely have placed your CV on a website, or several, some years past and not looked since. If you are not looking at it then neither are employers!!!

Be sure that you know how to make a generic CV be custom-made for every post you apply for.

Explore....

Rather than simply applying with your CV to publicized jobs, take advantage of things being a little quieter and check out firms. Yell is a decent business listings. Plus I followed my own suggestion and Googled business directories in Mitcham, Surrey, where I live.

If you have services you can use to make money, then use free business listings to advertise yourself.

Master the art of Social networking

You are in all probability on Facebook already, however there's a lot more to it than pictures of cats and commenting to your mates on everything you are doing and every place you go. I recommend: Search the groups and pages about employment, CV reviews etc...

If you do not have a LinkedIn profile...go to the site and get started...do not be fearful of LinkedIn, several employers go straight to a candidates LinkedIn profile on seeing their CV, and you need to be there. Google Employment social networking sites too for alternative helpful suggestions.

Circulate…Take advantage of New Year parties to let people know that you are looking for a job, but don't bore them...it is a party, so be able to talk about other things too.

Benefit from the Christmas break

Get yourself into a strong, work ready place, research courses, on-line free ones if cash is tight and you cannot afford college courses, see what's free on-line. Check out and start using a system to record your job applications and responses and.....

Enjoy a little break!!!!

Valerie Hartland