The panicked email I received the other day, and it's not the first one, said "Accidentally, on purpose, I had listed false dates for my last job on my resume.  Now  I am really really scared as what could happen if I disclose the truth - or if I don't disclose the truth.  What should I do?"

What do you do when you've lied on your resume and now it might make a big difference in the outcome of your job search? Do you take a chance that you won't get caught? Or, do you try and fix the problem without jeopardizing your chances of getting the job?

Of course, it wasn't smart to lie on your resume in the first place, because it can come back to haunt you.  Even after you've been hired, lying on a job application is grounds for termination at any point in the future - even years later. That said, what can you do now when the damage is already done?  There's no easy answer, but here are the options for what you can do when you lied on your resume.

Poll: Would You Lie on Your Resume

If your plan is to put your job search on hold until the holidays are over, think again. The holidays are actually a great time to hunt for a new job. You can use holiday events to network, spend some time revamping your resume, and build a personal brand that you can use online to attract employers.

The holidays are a terrific time for double-purpose connecting - wishing your contacts "Happy Holidays" and reminding them that you're in the market for a new job. Send a holiday greeting card, as well as messages on LinkedIn and Facebook to all your connections and friends.

There's also less competition for available jobs during the holidays and if you're available to interview, you'll be more competitive than those candidates who are taking a break and quitting their job search until next year.

Here's how to give your job search a boost during the holidays.

More: Using the Holiday Season to Job Search | Send a Holiday Card | Thank You Tips

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I always say that it's important to have a current resume and LinkednIn Profile, and a VisualCV, even if you're not actively job seeking.  It's important to be prepared to job search, so you don't have to scramble if you have to find a job in a hurry. Tools that showcase your online presence are a great way to present your skills and experience, and to build an online presence that can enhance your job search.

Santa seems to agree.  We know he's pretty busy, but he's still on top of his personal brand and positioned to job search - just in case.  I'm impressed with Santa's resume, which does a good job marketing his skills and experience thanks to Certified Professional Resume Writer Martin Buckland.

I'm even more impressed that Santa has gone high-tech and created a VisualCV.  Just in case you're not aware, a VisualCV is an online version of your resume, but, like a portfolio, has much more - images, videos, and links to your accomplishments.

Everyone should have a VisualCV. It's an excellent way to showcase your skills and present your personal brand. It's quick and easy to set up, and, as I said, it's a terrific way to present yourself online.

As you can see from Santa's VisualCV, he's got photos (Rudolph is really cute!), his work history, special skills, including flying reindeer, and examples of his personal brand licensing. Who wouldn't want to recruit him?

Take a cue from Santa and spend some time creating or polishing up your VisualCV. You'll have a unique, personal URL for your VisualCV, and you can link to it from LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other networking sites, and your blog. It will show networking contacts and prospective employers, at glance, why you're a terrific connection or candidate for employment.  

By the way, there are several Santas on Twitter, but I'm not sure which is the real one, and none of them are tweeting quite as much as I would expect Santa Claus to this time of year.

Related:  Creating a VisualCV | LinkedIn

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The holiday season provides a perfect opportunity for job search networking. Even if you're out of work and out of holiday cheer, it's important not to miss out on any opportunities to meet people who can help you find a job.

Accept all the invitations you receive and consider the networking you're going to do as a key part of your job search. Even if you don't feel like going to a party or other holiday celebration, you'll not only meet people who can, and would like, to help. You might even have much more fun than you expected!

These tips for networking at holiday parties, will help you the most out of all the holiday events you attend.

Related:  Top 10 Office Party Don'ts | Top Seven Office Party Gaffes

_{Image Copyright Copyright Kevin Russ}