However, Animal was kind enough to share this story, which I hope will inspire some job seekers at this time of year. (He even sent the accompanying photo!)

I’m a headhunter and a few years ago I was looking for a Quality Control Supervisor. But this wasn’t any ordinary QC Manager. This person would have no direct reports but needed to have a PhD in Chemistry and a strong background in fermented products, specifically yogurt.

When I got the search I was told that there was no one in the country with the right background. Why they gave it to me, then, I don’t know. In the end, we filled the job with a terrific yogurt man but in the course of the search I investigated a number of engineers who didn’t have yogurt experience but worked in breweries.

To get to some of them I had to go through one admin person. The problem was that she never picked up the phone and I didn’t want to leave a message. So I called and called and you know when I got her? On December 24th. Christmas Eve. I wanted to knock off work but I was in a bind and against my better judgement I picked up the phone and, like a miracle, she did too. It was great. I could hear the party going on in the background, she was very friendly and she gave me all the info I needed. What a present for me.

I told this story to someone recently and he scoffed at the notion that you have a good shot at reaching otherwise unavailable people during the holiday season. But I’m not saying everybody’s going to be there. Just that some people will. And those might be the people you want to talk to who never usually pick up their phones. When lots of people are away, however, they’re not as busy as usual and that’s when they change their normal habits and that’s when you have a chance to catch them.

Nothing is life is certain. But if you want to get through to someone and you’re not on a beach in Florida, what’s stopping you from trying? Friends, it happened to me. And if it happened to me, it can happen to you too. Good luck.

Learn more about Animal by following him on Twitter @animal (of course!)  and by visiting his website: http://www.recruitinganimal.com. However, he does admonish everyone to “not follow if you’re sensitive.”

Be sure to take a look at all the great advice from my colleagues:

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

Part 10 – Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago – Use parties and festive occassions to fuel your job search

Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social

Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it

Part 13 – Lisa Caldas Kappesser – Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

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Personally, I think linkedin is a fabulous resource, even if you aren’t looking (even passively) for a job.  I first became a fan when I located two long-lost high school friends on linkedin when Google and other search resources proved useless.  

When I first joined, I was amazed at how quickly my network grew and the connections I gained.  If you don’t join, you may never know that a good friend of yours has a first-hand connection to someone in a position to hire you or provide crucial career advice or information!

In addition to serving as a source for recruiters, Linkedin offers tools to help you create and promote  a personal brand.  The “Answers” section provides a forum to demonstrate your expertise as well as a great place to network with professionals in your industry and beyond.   Often, if you provide a response that seems useful, you will be invited to “link” with the questioner, thus expanding your contacts.

Don’t forget that networking is important throughout your career, even when (especially when) you are NOT looking for a job.  Don’t miss the linkedin boat!

Keppie Careers will help you with every aspect of your job search.  www.keppiecareers.com

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