Leverage a give-to-get strategy instead by cultivating your relationship with the people you encounter in your holiday merrymaking. Ask them astute questions about their workplace needs, and look for ways you can help.

Above all else, the holiday season is a time to connect in meaningful ways with people you already know and those you don't.  You can't do this if your sole focus is on you.

If you focus on proving your usefulness first, you won't have to push your agenda at all.

Remember: you don't have to ask for something each time you connect with your network.  Focus on giving something every time instead.

The closer we get to Christmas and New Year's, the more delay you can expect in any job-search-related communication. Accept this and move on.

Whether you're going to parties or open houses, joining a friend for a company event, or enjoying dinner with one or more friends, use every outing to gather insight and information.  Replace your usual holiday networking outings with virtual networking events if you have 

safety concerns (or just like the convenience of it).

Present your personal branding statement on side one, and showcase your experience, credentials, and impacts briefly on side two.  If a two-sided card is too small, try a fold-over card that allows you to print text inside and out. If this is still too small, why not try a postcard instead?

Like Santa, you need to know what everyone on your target list is seeking. Ask the contacts and job seekers you meet how you can help them, and keep a record of their responses for immediate follow-up. Look for ways to refer job seekers to recruiters and companies, and suggest recruiters and companies to job seekers.

Be the star in your network by preparing a brief intro about job seekers you know and feel comfortable recommending, then offer their contact information (with permission, of course) to recruiters and companies that match the job seekers' search targets.

Don't let those holiday connections go to waste! Make sure you follow up with new members of your network soon after meeting them, to let them know how nice it was connecting with them, and to keep the communication lines open.

Let your past interviewers know that you're still available. I've known more than one candidate who reopened an opportunity by proactively reaching out during an otherwise slow period.

Include a short, brand-driven message about your value proposition, assuming that you have previously sent a holiday message with zero branding included. This strategy allows you to refresh the memories of your influential contacts with your candidacy as they put the holidays behind them and return to work in the new year.