This is a good time of year, and you should do it at least annually, to check and revamp your resume.   It's important to take the time to write a resume that reflects why you're a top tier candidate who should be selected for an interview. That means your position descriptions should be as quantified as possible - numbers, percentages, achievements - concrete evidence of what you have accomplished.

In addition to having a well-written resume, you need to make sure that your resume looks good. Resumes with bad formatting or typos are often rejected, regardless of how qualified the candidate might be.  So, take the time to give your resume a check-up, then ask someone else to look at it for you.  Another pair of eyes can see things you've missed and can give you some ideas on how to up your resume a notch or two.

Review these top resume tips for choosing a type of resume, selecting a resume font, customizing your resume, using resume keywords, explaining employment gaps, reviewing resume examples, and more tips for writing interview winning resumes.

Releated: Resume Templates | How to Write a Cover Letter

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Hiring doesn't happen fast during the holidays.  Many companies slow down for the holiday season, with some closing or working with a skeleton crew for the last two weeks of the year. 

There have been messages posted in the Job Search Discussion Forum about what to do when you haven't heard after an interview.   I've received email, as well, from people who interviewed a week or two ago and haven't heard one way or the other. Job seekers are concerned that their applications have been lost in the midst of the holiday season.  

How should you follow up to make sure that your candidacy hasn't been forgotten in the transition to the New Year and the pile of work waiting for hiring managers when they get back to the office? First of all, don't worry yet. It will probably take most offices until the first week of January to get caught up.   Secondly, remember that some decision makers will be on vacation or otherwise out of the office.   If you haven't heard, it doesn't mean you won't be contacted for an interview or given a job offer.

One thing you can do though, is send a follow up note reiterating your interest in the position and offering to provide any further information the hiring manager might need. That way, you can remind the employer that you are interested and available, even though a couple of weeks have passed since the interview.

More: Follow Up Letters | Holiday Season Job Searching

Searching for a new job? These top job search tips include tips for resume writing, cover letters, curriculum vitae, interviewing, phone interviews, working at home, online job searching, using your network, and more advice to help you find a new job fast.

To help you get going on your online job search,  here are all the online job search resources you need to effectively job search online, including the best job search sites,  networking sites, online job search tools, and tips to ensure that you are using all the online job search resources available to help find a job online.

From the best sites for job searching to making sure employers can find you to using LinkedIn to job search to tools and technology that will expedite your job search, you will find all the resources you need to find a job.

More:  Share a Job Search Tip

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This has been the toughest year for job searching since I can remember, and I've been doing this job for more than a few years. My heart, especially this holiday season, goes out to everyone who is unemployed and to their families, to all who are trying to find new or different jobs, and to all who have struggled to get by during these difficult times.

I wish you joy, I wish you peace, and I wish you the best, with my hopes for a turn around in the job market, and with my wishes that everyone who is job hunting finds not just any job, but the right job. A job that brings you joy, a job where you can have fun, a job where you can make a difference, and a job that brings home a living wage, not just a paycheck.

My best wishes for a happy holiday season and a bright shining New Year,

Alison

_{Image Copyright Alison Doyle}