Employers are hiring throughout the holidays and looking to fill vacancies in the coming year. It’s a busy time in the hospitality world and extra help is always welcome. Keep your momentum going and be prepared to take advantage of the holidays to enhance your job search.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Plenty of hotels and restaurants set their budgets in the fall for the coming year. They plan to fill openings and have the hiring done by the end of the year (or before the holiday rush) in order to start fresh in the New Year.

2. Typically, fewer people are applying for jobs over the holidays, so that means less competition for you. Hiring managers have fewer resumes to review, may have more time for interviews, and are anxious to get staff on board for the busy season.

3. Be prepared to interview at odd times during the holiday season. You may get a call to come in at the last minute. Check out this article for last-minute interview tips so you’ll be ready.

4. Consider taking a “seasonal job” at a company you’d like to join. Hotels and restaurants handle the holiday rush by hiring temporary help to get them through the busy season. If you like the job and do well, you may be hired full-time in the New Year.

5. Attend all the holiday parties and events where you can network: re-connect with your contacts and meet new people. Be positive and mention you’re in the market for a new job, but keep it light. Make sure you have a good attitude and make it fun.

6. The joyful, giving spirit of the holidays also makes people more willing to assist you in your job search. Consider having some business cards made with your contact information and your LinkedIn Profile address so you can have them on hand at these events.

7. Of course, as always, dress and act professionally when you’re networking over the holidays. You want to present a good image and be a credit to the company you hope to join.

8. Keep track of your Unemployment Benefits and when they expire. You don’t want to suspend your job search and then find out you’re running out of time on your benefits.

9. Consider volunteering for a holiday-related event or fundraiser to rub elbows with the managers and staff. You’ll gain a few skills and can network with those who are already on the team. Once they’ve seen you in action, it may pave the way for an offer for full-time.

10. Use your downtime between interviews and applications to your advantage. Take the holiday break to update your resume, freshen up your social media accounts, or reconnect with your references. It’s polite to ask your former colleagues/bosses if you can use their names for references. Be sure you have the correct contact info for them.

11. Send holiday cards. It’s a good ice-breaker, wishing them happy holidays and sharing some interests or happy news from the current year. Include your “contact info card” and feel free to mention you’re in the market for a new job. Send cards to recruiters, networking contacts, and those with whom you’ve interviewed already.

12. Invest in your professional development. Take a class, go to a seminar or conference, and build on your skills. Enroll in an online course or read the business books you haven’t had time for throughout the rest of the year. Consider getting a certification that will further your career.

Also, keep in mind that January is often one of the hardest and most competitive times for job hunting… mostly because a lot of people stop looking over the holidays. Don’t wait and don’t put your job search on hold. Take advantage of all the good reasons to continue your search over the holidays.