"It's easy to put off the worries of the real world until next semester. But if you're gearing up for life after graduation, the new year is a great time to work on your job search."

Here are some suggestions to help you on your mission.

1) Interact with family and friends.

"Family, friends, and acquaintances are eager to catch up and learn about your career plans. Moreover, such people often represent a bevy of job contacts."

Karen Single, Assistant Director of Student Employment and Internships at Brown University says, "The holidays are a perfect time to interact with your family in a new way. Many students forget that their relatives are professionals with valuable information to offer.

Use the winter break to your advantage: with a  smile and a stack of business cards (everyone, even students, should have them made up), chat with everyone you meet and find out if they are in fields that interest you.

Don't hesitate to mention that you are looking for a job; many people may offer you contact names and company information immediately. Keep a pen and pad close at hand to jot down notes, addresses, and phone numbers."

2) Finalize your resume and cover letter.

Use the winter break to recharge your batteries, but also to finalize your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. However, you might not have the resources you need. According to Bill Toner, Recruiting Program Manager at Princeton University, "Some job- related research simply cannot be performed at home. If that's the case, there's no use fretting about it."

Career experts recommend that job seekers should relax - and exploit local resources or even return to campus early. "Utilize local college career centers and their resources," advises Amy Donegan, Assistant Director of the Boston College Career Center. "Take self-assessment tests, visit career center libraries, and attend job fairs and networking events."

Break is a good time to set up informational interviews with college alumni. Many colleges stay open during the holidays and offer resources for students and non-students alike.

3) Meet everyone you can.

"While resume building and researching is an important part of your job search, winter break is really the best time for networking.

Talk to as many people as possible. Indeed, the confidence and charm you naturally display in social interactions is also a plus when it comes to networking.

For the shy, a little face-to-face time with the Internet is also a great way to find contacts and begin building relationships. If you can get e-mail addresses, you can take your time and compose messages from home.

While job seeking over the winter break might seem like an incredibly burdensome undertaking, don't underestimate the perks of the process. There is unlimited self-confidence to be gained from having a sense of where you want to go and how you are going to get there.

To know which place you would like to work, as you enter into the new year, is an invaluable gift  but something you can only give yourself."

 -- Chandra Prasad, Jump-Start Your Search Over Winter Break, Careers WSJ; http://public.wsj.com/careers.