For many businesses, January 2005, is the start of a new fiscal year with the budgets to support it. If a new position has been identified for January 2005, managers are recruiting for it now.

If recruiters have job openings, they are actively trying to fill them. This is how they earn their living.

If you are saying, "No one is recruiting during the holidays. Everyone is too busy, including me. I'll just wait until January to resume my job search." Don't fall into this trap. It will definitely slow down your momentum, you may miss out on job openings and networking opportunities, and, ultimately, it may delay the start date of an offer.

Here are some effective ways to utilize the holiday season in your job search:

1. Use social gatherings as an opportunity to share with your network your career desires. That way, they will be able to keep their eyes and ears open for you. Be specific as to what type of position, and what companies interest you. Ask if they know of anyone you could speak with to advance your job search. Would they be willing to make a personal call to that person on your behalf?
2. This is a great time to request informational interviews and network with hiring managers. In some departments, December does tend to be a slower-paced time of the year. Hiring managers may have more time for an extended lunch date or to conduct an informational interview with you. People are generally in good spirits and are feeling generous.
3. Send holiday cards. This subtly reminds people about you and what you have to offer. You may want to consider sending a New Year card as it will not get lost in the shuffle and will put you in a "top of mind" position for any openings in 2005. Was there anyone that you connected with in 2004 with whom you would like to keep in touch? Were there any positions or companies that you applied for that you were not offered the job, but are interested in future opportunities? Use sincere holiday wishes to build and strengthen your network.
4. Be generous. Share your gifts and talents. Ask people how you can be of help to them. Uncover opportunities.
5. Set goals. What would you like to accomplish with your job search in December? Rewrite your resume. Send out "x" networking letters. Contact "x" hiring managers. Send out holiday cards.

By maintaining your focus on your job search during December, you will be able to hit the ground running in January and will find that a new job is not far behind. Happy Hunting!

The following articles outline some of the benefits of job searching throughout the holiday season:

Consider the benefits of a career coaching gift certificate. Career coaching can help the recipient:

1. Take control of their career
2. Create more balance in their life
3. Achieve more fulfillment from their work
4. Clarify their life purpose
5. Identify their passions, values, motivators and skills
6. Develop a roadmap to achieve their career aspirations
7. Explore roadblocks
8. Accelerate their job search
9. Achieve their goals for 2005

Gift certificates are available in any denomination to meet your budget or for any package we offer.

The more you understand about yourself, the better your decisions will be and the more effectively you will be able to implement those decisions. Your personality preferences can help you decide what you want to do and how to improve your chances of getting what you want.

CenterMark is an assessment based on the research of Myers Briggs. It has a comprehensive database for each of 16 personality types and emphasizes twelve areas of success in one's worklife, including:

• Unique Characteristics
• Contributions to the Organization
• Successful Careers
• Management Style
• Communication Style
• Learning Style
• Approaches to Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Conflict Resolution
• Motivators
• On a Team
• Change Management
• Opportunities for Growth

CenterMark can be used for a wide variety of purposes:

• Self understanding and development
• Career development and exploration
• Identifying potential career fits
• Team building
• Management and leadership training
• Organizational development
• Problem solving
• Academic counseling

Limited Time Offer! 50% off! Only $75! Between now and January 31, 2005, you can take the Centermark assessment and have a professional one-hour feedback session with Christy Seawall, a qualified MBTI professional, to understand your results and how to apply them, for only $75.00

Or, plan a group workshop for your organization at significantly reduced prices. Contact me today for a quote.

Join me on January 11, 2005, at the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce Inauguaral Woman 2 Woman meeting to reflect on the roles and goals we've had in the past year and set our intentions for the new year. We will learn specific strategies for setting balanced goals which help us accomplish more with greater ease, less stress and enhanced personal fulfillment.

The event will be held on Tuesday, January 11, from 11:30 am -1:00 pm at Ralph's Place, 2245 Kennedy Road, Bristol, IL. The price for members is $25, non- members is $30

To RSVP, contact the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce, at 630-553-6853.

There is a delightful book for children by Stephen Krensky entitled "How Santa Got His Job" which shows how Santa discovered his "ideal job". He explored many career alternatives prior to becoming Santa Claus including zookeeper (where he became friendly with the reindeer), postal worker (where he decided to deliver packages at night to save time), and a chimney sweep (where he learned how to climb chimneys without getting dirty). Each job was an important step on his career path leading him closer to his true calling as the Santa Claus that we all know and love. This is a wonderfully silly story for the whole family, while at the same time teaching children and adults about the process of career discovery. It's a great way to begin introducing your children to potential career paths in a fun, entertaining way. This would make a great Christmas gift!