Don’t think for a minute that companies aren’t hiring. Check the job boards, like Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, or Dice, and you will see thousands of available jobs that employers need to fill now. Be sure to check the leading job sites regularly, so you don’t miss out on job leads.

You couldn’t pick a better time of year for networking. There are many social and business holiday functions during December when you can connect with people who can help with your job search. Don’t be shy. Most people are thrilled to have the opportunity to pay it forward by helping you out, especially during the season of giving.

There are no extended unemployment benefits in place. The only unemployment compensation available is the weekly benefits provided by your state. That’s a maximum of 26 weeks, less in some states. Be aware of when your unemployment runs out if you are thinking of holding off on your job search.

It’s always good to start January with your life in order if you can.  Having your compensation set for the year not only helps pay the bills. It also helps with budgeting and tax planning.

If you are hired for a temporary holiday season job, you might get to keep it.  Companies typically keep some of the temps they hire for the holidays, and you could be one of them if you make a good impression on your employer.

You will still get some holiday time off from work even if you’re a brand-new employee. Many companies are closed for at least Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Others close for even longer when the holidays wrap around a weekend. You also may be entitled to pro-rated time off, depending on your start date.

If you get hired sooner than you expect, you will have extra money to spend for the holidays.  You will also have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a job to go to. That will save some stress of worrying about having to start your job search over on January 1st.

If you get hired for a retail or hospitality job, you’ll be able to use your employee discounts for shopping for holiday presents and gift certificates.  That's perfect timing for gift-giving.

Shopping for yourself is always fun. It’s even better when you can take advantage of holiday sales and discounts.  If you have a new job lined up, you can shop for a new work wardrobe to start your position in style. If you’re job searching, it’s a good time to pick up a new interview outfit or two on sale.