5 Tips for Coping With Joblessness Over the Holidays

5 Tips for Coping With Joblessness Over the Holidays5 Tips for Coping With Joblessness Over the Holidays5 Tips for Coping With Joblessness Over the HolidaysDont let your employment situation get you down this season. Use these tips to thrive over the holidays.While its never easy to be without a job, it can be particularly challenging during the holidays. But its the most wonderful time of the year Dont let your employment situation get you down. Here are some tips to help you survive the holiday season by gearing up for job-search success.1. Update your resumeEven if you are employed, its a great idea to update your resume annually, and theres no time like the present to give it a thorough overhaul. Since the holiday season is usually slow, its the perfect time for some resume housekeeping. Make sure your resume is formatted correctly and contains your latest employment accomplishments. If youve been sending your resume out for some time with no response, thats a good sign that it p robably needs a tune-up. There are great resources online to give you an idea of how your resume should look, and if writing one is notlage your strong suit, consider investing in a professional resume writer.2. Revamp your cover letterTake advantage of the holidays to customize a cover letter specific to the season. Adding a simple Happy holidays or Happy New Year is a safe way to add some personality to your letter. And of course, dont make the mistake of sending a generic, copy-paste cover letter that youve sent to every other employer. Just like customizing your letter with a holiday greeting, tailor it to include specifics about the role for which you are applying.3. Work is slowing down? Interview timeThe good thing about an end of year slowdown in the workforce is that hiring managers have more availability to talk to you. Find the important people in your target companies and ask for appointments. This can be accomplished by leveraging your network or contacting the company directly. Even if the employer is not hiring until after the new year, a meeting will make them more likely to remember you when the time comes.4. Tis the season to networkDecember is the prime season for parties, so take advantage of the opportunity to get out there and talk to people. Whether its a networking event or your spouses holiday party, you can use this chance to get dressed up and show off your elevator pitch. Meeting new people, finding out what they do, and asking for introductions is never wasted time. Remember the cardinal rule of any professional gathering, though, and do not overindulge on the eggnogRelated Fresh Networking Conversation Starters for Your Next Holiday Party5. Get into gratitude.Think about starting a gratitude list of all the things for which you are thankful. Its okay if you include more negative things like not having to deal with THAT person at your former job or a particularly nasty commute. Gratitude is gratitude, right? And no matter what they are, finding things to keep yourself grateful will help you keep your chin up while you continue your job search.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.This holiday season, let TopResume give you the gift of a free resume critiqueRecommended Reading12 Holiday Gift Ideas for Job SeekersWhy the Holidays May Be the Best Time of Year to Look for a JobHow to Advance Your Job Search During the Holidays