The word today is that a typical job search is 6-8 months long. Most people hear that number and are shocked. And those old-time notions of "one month of search for every $10,000 of income" no longer apply, if they ever did.

Time flies during a job search: it gets depressing to keep turning calendar pages without having offers or interviews. You want and need something to show for it. Here are the things you can do:

1. Set up a schedule one week to two weeks at a time being sure to plan your activity. Don't "wait" for "something to happen". Make it happen. Plan highly important things first, like networking referral meetings, then plan other things around those.

2. Make sure your activity revolves around networking. Prioritize this. If you haven't started this, start with friends, family, neighbors, dentist, and others you already know. Ask contacts not for a job, but "who else should I be talking with?" Time spent doing this will pay off for you down the road. And don't wait for other methods to "not work" before beginning to network.

If you're already networking, don't forget your fellow college alums, fellow group members on LinkedIn, colleagues in your professional organizations. They can lead you to others, and so on.

During your networking activity, people are getting to know you, therefore you are upping your chances of getting that phone call with those wonderful words, "We now have an opening here, send me your updated resume so I can forward it to my manager."

3. Be sure all your communications about you are focused, and "on message". So make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile share the same key words about your work, and that both contain details about your accomplishments. Make sure as you introduce yourself to networking contacts and recruiters and potential employers that you use those same key words AND that you point out successes. In other words, don't try to be all things to all people: Those candidates with a coherent, focused direction are the ones getting the offers.

Putting these three things into practice will make better use of your time -- and are much more likely to yield more interviews and more offers sooner.

Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean your job search should take a holiday!

The most important reasons to keep your job search going during the holidays are:

- Staying in contact with others at this time of the year is uplifting for you
- You'll meet with less resistance at this time of year
- Going to as many social events as possible is great for networking
- Now is when companies discover they can do hiring, before the quarter or annual business year closes
- The week between Christmas and New Year's Day can be quiet in many offices, so your call might actually be answered by the exact person you're trying to reach
- You'll have a head start on your competition who are probably postponing their search for January 4th. Why wait?

A December networking tip: Don't insist on a meeting right now. If the person is harried at this time of year, get their OK to contact them at a time and day they name, and ask if it would help to send them a reminder "via email tomorrow". Chances are they'll readily agree to that. And they'll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Our wishes for you are for a peaceful holiday season, with quiet time for yourself and time spent with family and friends.

Our congratulations to Scott S., who landed the job that several in his network told him "was made for you". Being "on message", networking and endorsements from his network are what made the difference.

Thank you for your referrals. All our clients come to us via word of mouth, and we appreciate your endorsement of us. In specific, we'd like to thank:
Mike B., Alan S., Terri R., Pam M., and others who have wanted to see their associates, friends, and family members land a great new position sooner.

Does your career and/or job search need more momentum? Is your job search going nowhere fast? Why let more time go by with no salary or a too-low salary? Find out what's right AND what's wrong during a Quick Consult with the Queen. This 1 1/2 to 2-hour session gives you concrete steps to follow for getting unstuck. It also gives you practical insights into what YOU bring a new employer, knowledge about what sets you apart from the crowd of other candidates. The fee is $175 and the results are priceless!

And if you choose to work with one of us on these steps, that fee is applicable to your search project. Joanne Meehl and Career Consultant Kelly Oslund do Quick Consults in person or over the phone/Skype. Call or email us today to schedule yours.

Free webinars about job search from one of the leading career consulting companies in the US? Yes...Jack Chapman is a leader in the field, and his company is offering these sessions because he wants those of you in job search to know what high-quality career services are like. And naturally, he wants to create a buzz!

Topics include salary negotiation, resumes, interviews, time management, e-networking, and others.

Interested? Click the link at the end of this article to get to the site and to sign up. Be sure to tell him we sent you.

Want some tips about career choice and job search from Joanne, without leaving your keyboard? Go to her home page, and scroll down to the media links. The clips -- the longest is 6 minutes -- have many tips you can use.