Random facts about Thanksgiving:

• The largest pumpkin pie weighed 2,020 pounds
• A ripe cranberry will bounce
• Abraham Lincoln declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1863
• The first Macy’s parade was held in 1924
• Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in seven other nations including; Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Liberia, and Switzerland.

Many people believe job searching between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is unadvisable, but contrary to popular opinion, this is a great time for job seekers.

Companies don’t just stop working during the holiday season. They don’t stop doing business, and given the tough economic climate, those that are hiring are being proactive to get key employees on board. Plus, you’ll have an advantage over other job seekers, because many people decide not to look for jobs at this time of year.

Here are some important tips on how to search for jobs during the holiday season:

Be Flexible

Many companies try to hire candidates before the end of the year, so it is important to remain flexible during the interview process. Hiring managers and other interviewers will be out of the office for different events, personal time and holiday activities. If you demonstrate you can work around these speed bumps, that will bring you closer to a job offer.

Stay Focused On Your Social Media Accounts

Make sure you update your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts to let all of your contacts know you’re searching for a new job. Check them regularly. Not only are you connecting with people directly, this could be helpful in finding networking events.

Attend Networking Parties Or Events

Speaking of networking events, there are plenty of opportunities at this time of year. If you are attending a holiday social event, it is definitely appropriate to mention that you are job searching. Accept all the invitations you receive, both personal and professional. You never know who may be able to help. Friends and family, as well as business acquaintances are typically more than happy to assist. Always have business cards on you — that give your name, phone number, email address, and even the URL of your LinkedIn profile — so you can hand them out.

Send Holiday Cards

Reach out to employers or networking contacts by sending a holiday card. If you have recently interviewed with someone, send him or her a hand-written holiday card, by mail, to thank him or her for taking the time out of a busy schedule to meet with you. You should also send cards to networking contacts, recruiters and employers you have interviewed with — it’s a pleasant way to connect with those who can help with your job search.

Relax and Enjoy

During this time of year, it’s also important to take some time for yourself and your family and friends. The holiday memories you make will linger much longer than the memories of the resumes you sent or the cover letters you wrote.

Here are six terrific truths about time:

First: Nobody can manage time. But you can manage those things that take up your time.

Second: Time is expensive. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of our day is spent on those things or those people that only bring us two percent of our results.

Third: Time is perishable. It cannot be saved for later use.

Fourth: Time is measurable. Everybody has the same amount of time…pauper or king. It is not how much time you have; it is how much you use.

Fifth: Time is irreplaceable. We never make back time once it is gone.

Sixth: Time is a priority. You have enough time for anything in the world, so long as it ranks high enough among your priorities.

You can’t hoard it, save it, store it, loan it or invest it. You can only use it – time.

Something to think about…

Obtained from The Messenger; The National Independent Staffing Association, November 2011 Issue

FOR decades, parents have been dutifully putting themselves IN debt TO send their kids TO college. AFTER ALL, you have TO go TO college TO get a good job, RIGHT? The truth IS, NOT always.

Does everyone need a college education? More TO the POINT, IF a job posting calls FOR a bachelor’s degree, and you meet all the other requirements, should it matter that you don’t have a degree?

Yes, there are jobs for which a college education is a non-negotiable requirement, such as physicians, lawyers, and teachers. But what about an accountant whose resume lists five years of solid experience and great references, but no degree, vs. another accountant with a degree, three years of semi-solid experience, and good—but less than great—references?

Which person should get the job offer?

Should employers focus so heavily on a college education as the “price of admission” to getting a job?

Recruiters from around the country had these comments:

• No. Education is great but there is no substitute for experience. Employers are getting carried away with the education thing. I’ve seen so many entry-level, minimum wage jobs ask for a degree. Lets get real.

• When recruiting, I look at what a person has accomplished. Why? Because I have worked with grads from top universities who weren’t particularly effective on the job and I have worked with people who haven’t earned a degree who were tremendously effective on the job.

• I’m amazed (and a little dismayed) by the number of entry level, or very low paying jobs asking for a degree as part of the requirement. Granted, many job postings will ask for a specific degree “or equivalent experience,” but I have to wonder if the hiring managers are passing over otherwise very qualified applicants if no degree is listed.

• College doesn’t inspire us to work harder or smarter. One can argue that a college education can help you think more analytically and critically, but I think anyone can do that on the job if you work at a company that encourages and fosters it.

A report released by Harvard last February questioned whether a traditional four-year college degree is necessarily the best path for everyone. It stated that the United States’ “college for all” emphasis may actually harm many American students – keeping them from having a smooth transition from adolescence to adulthood and a viable career.

Despite society’s enduring message that college is important – and a pervasive desire among young students to attend college – only about 30 percent of Americans complete a bachelor’s degree by their mid-20s, with another 10 percent completing an associate’s degree by then. A massive effort in recent decades to increase those numbers has improved them only slightly. Is there any wonder that employers and recruiters are complaining of a lack of skilled workers? Does “skilled” merely mean “educated?”

What do you think? Do you require your employees to have a college degree, regardless of their position and duties? Do you think it is a must in today’s workplace?

Yes, we are going to talk about the handshake.  I have shaken a many of hands in my lifetime however, the ones that stand out the most are the ones who are firm but don’t cut the circulation off in my hand, last long enough to say Hello, but not so long I start to feel uncomfortable and they let me know that they are listening to my ideas; that they haven’t written me off yet.

According to the book “Business Class, The Power of Personal Presence” A proper handshake should be firm, never limp, never bone crushing.  Always be the one to initiate the handshake simply take another’s hand in yours and make sure “the valley between your thumbs and forefinger should lock firmly against the same of the hand you shake, grip the hand but don’t squeeze. Keep your wrist and forearm rigid.  Look the person in the eye as you do this.  Hold the hand for about three seconds, or long enough to hear his/her name if you’re being introduced and for you to offer your name.  Then you can relax and withdraw.”

Remember make sure your handshake isn’t sweaty and if for some reason the hand that you are shaking is sweaty don’t embarrass them! Your handshake is your signature in a physical form.  Make it make a statement the right statement.