Every year in November, job seekers get discouraged that no-one is hiring and stop their search activities until January. Is this you?

Make the last two months of the year work for you, instead of against you.

Step 1: Review all your marketing materials and update them.

Use a clear head and mind to review your resume, social media profiles, cover letters, and email signatures.
* does each portray you as the best match for the job you are seeking?
* are you demonstrating your past successes in terms of your future goals?
* would you hire you?

Reach out to a few trusted advisors. Ask each for specific feedback on one item or area. Whatever ideas you get, consider them carefully and choose those you can use to improve your self-presentation.

Step 2: Update your targets

Go through your job search goals and think about them.  Then look at all the target companies you have focused on.  Update your research and contacts for each. Use what you have learned to make a fresh run at each.

Think about other potential targets which may be a good match and research them. Find contacts for each via your current connections.

Update your job search agent at ClearedJobs.Net. Update your resume on the site as well, using the new one you created from step 1 above.

Step 3: Say Thanks

Send a card to each person who has helped you with your search since you began. Thank them for their assistance. This gratitude is rare, sadly. But it is good for both their spirit and yours. Plus it reminds them you are still looking and enhances the connection. And ‘snail mail’ still makes more of an impression than email does.

Do the same with those you only know electronically, by email or via social media.

Don’t send a new resume or plea for a job. Keep it positive by thanking the person for their specific past efforts. If you have changed anything major, like your work goals or status, do say so. But do it in the context of a brief sentence or an indication you have followed their advice.

Step 4. Keep making connections

When you are at events, talk with other people. Don’t talk about your job search directly but do ask if you want to follow up with the person to do so. Carry cards you can give out with your information too.

Go through all the contacts you have gotten or been referred to during your search and be sure you have actually reached out to each one.  If not, do so now.

Reconnect with closer connections over a holiday coffee and talk about their interests first.

Sure, you know all this. But are you actually doing it?

There are companies hiring now. There are companies hiring for January too. Being active in upgrading and maintaining your job search now puts you ahead. And it demonstrates that you are a professional who is worth hiring.

Originally published in ClearedJobs.net