Looking for a job and wondering if it makes sense to continue your search during the holidays? It does - read on for seven tips for savvy job searching this holiday season.

1. Don't believe people who say that no one hires in December. While it's true that some searches slow down or get put on hold, plenty of hiring still happens around the holidays. In fact, some hiring managers are scrambling to fill positions before the new year or want someone to start soon after January 1. There are plenty of searches still going on, with candidates being interviewed and offers being made.

2. You'll have less competition. Because so many job seekers stop actively looking for work around the holidays, you'll have less competition for the openings you find. In fact, some hiring managers report that job applications slow to a trickle around this time of year and they have trouble finding suitable candidates for jobs that must be filled quickly.

3. You might need to be flexible. Companies that are trying to make a hire before the new year are often trying to move quickly but may have limited interviewing slots available because of the vacation schedules of those involved in the hiring process. You'll have a leg up if you're willing to juggle your schedule to make yourself available when they can talk. That might mean being flexible about your holiday plans or being willing to come back from a trip on short notice if asked.  (That said, don't avoid making holiday plans just in case an interviewer calls.  You could end up regretting that quickly.)

4. Be prepared to be patient. Hiring processes often move more slowly at this time of year, especially if key decision-makers are out on vacation. That means that employers might take longer to get back to you or need to wait for someone to return from vacation before a hiring decision can be finalized. You should still follow up politely after an interview to reiterate your interest, but don't be discouraged if it takes longer than usual to hear back from employers; there's generally no way to avoid that.

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This may sound like a silly question but it's something you should definitely ask yourself when preparing for an interview.

Of course, your presence is the most important component of an interview but you also need to think about any supporting documents that could give you an edge.

Whenever anybody asks me how to improve their interview strategy I always say remember you're not at a disadvantage. An interview should not be an interrogation so don't treat it like one. Don't go in assuming the interviewer wants to catch you out so they can reject you as quickly as possible - I never want to reject anybody! This meeting is beneficial for both parties, in fact if you're the right person for the role then you have the upper hand because the employer wants to ensure they hire you.

Treat every interview like a meeting between two people looking for a mutual resolution.

With this in mind, think about how you'd prepare for an interview like this - what would you bring? How would you lead the conversation?  Read more...