If you have been applying for jobs throughout the holiday season, you may feel that despite all the networking you've done and all of the resumes you've emailed, you didn't get that job you wanted. Don't give up! There is still hope. Things slow down in Human Resources during the holidays as many people take vacation time. Now that it's a new year and work schedules are back to normal, it is the time to really amp-up your job search.

A good first step is to follow-up on all of the contacts you have made thus far. Persistence is a virtue which all employers will value, and as such, this should be one of your top priorities. An Excel spreadsheet is great way to keep track of the positions you have applied for, listing all of the people you have spoken with, the companies they represent and appropriate contact information. You should then contact those on your list to show them your interest in the position. This can be done by calling to check on the status of your application.

If it turns out that you didn't get the position you wanted, don't cross that company off your list just yet. If you made a favorable impression with your interview or initial resume screening, you still may be able to apply for a different position within that company and work toward that initial position. If you have your heart set on working for a particular company, be on the lookout for openings down the line. For example, you may want to work as an inside sales rep for XYZ Corporation, but they require three to five years of experience and you only have two. However, there may be an opening at XYZ Corporation for a call center representative that will eventually help you move into that sales position you desire.

In addition to traditional job searches in the paper and on the Internet, be on the look out for career fairs that may be held at the college you graduated, an area company, or one put on by your local Employment Guide. Career fairs are a great place to network with much less pressure than the standard interview process. Staffing agencies are another great resource for job seekers. Many companies today have chosen staffing agencies as a way to reduce the risk of hiring new employees. These companies would much rather someone else screen employees for them and be able to try them out on a temporary to permanent basis. Many employees find long term career opportunities through temporary assignments.

Happy Job Hunting!