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From November to January, most of us have about a million distractions competing for our attention. Between the mashed potato-induced comas, wrapping gifts and ringing in the New Year, schedules tend to get messy. 

But if you’ve decided the new year will be your time to find a better job, there’s no reason to put your job search on the back burner until after you watch the ball drop. During the holiday season, good jobs (and the enthusiasm needed to pursue them) may be harder to find, but it’s not impossible. There may be a perfect opportunity out there today. And if not, the work you do now will put you at the front of the pack when things pick back up in January. 

Here are a few ways to keep your job search on track during the holidays: 

Pace yourself, but stay on track

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and you don’t have to accomplish everything all in one day; you just have to start.  

There’s one incredibly powerful organizational tool that everyone should be using: lists accompanied by deadlines. Creating a task list to follow will help you keep track of the things that you’ve done and things you still need to do. Job searches routinely go on for months and you need a place to track your progress. Plus, you get that dandy little endorphin rush each time you check off a task.  

There are many timeline apps on the market that you might be able to utilize for your job search. Here’s a list to get you started. 

Be consistent and steadfast

Whether it’s once per day or once every other day, select a task to cross off of your list. This becomes much easier if you have created a timeline and set deadlines. 

If your resume needs attention, start there. If you have a list of references but you haven’t told them yet, let them know so they’re on the same page when they get that first phone call. If you have old, questionable photos from your college days, sanitize your digital presence. 

If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, this would be a great time to create one. Thirty million companies use this platform, so it’s an incredible resource for job searching, networking and learning more about your industry. While some people are social media adverse, a LinkedIn account is table stakes for a job hunt.  

Recruit some holiday helpers 

You’ve made your list (and checked it twice!), updated your resume, social media, and references, and connected with individuals in your field. What’s next? 

Enlist the help of trusted family members or friends to help you go over your resume, profiles and cover letters for typos or other issues. Offer to pay them in egg nog and sprinkle-covered cookies and they’ll be happy to help. There’s also the option of paying a professional proofreader if the proofing gene skipped your genetic pool. No matter how hard you try, it is all but impossible to proof something you have authored. 

Most important, you don’t have to go it alone. At ETS, we’re here and working on your behalf, even during the holiday season, to help you identify opportunities and get started today. In addition to working to find you a match, we offer practical advice on getting yourself ready to shine in your interviews. Check out current opportunities at https://etsvision.com/jobs