With the hiring slowdown that typically happens around the holidays, job seekers assume it’s a waste of time to reach out to companies in November and December. Nothing could be further from the truth! True, things do quiet down around HR, and often new positions come in January with the new year’s budget.

But companies ARE still open. Hiring managers and HR employees don’t get these six weeks off of work. Use this quieter time of the year to your advantage. Chances are, you won’t have as much competition since others are probably suspending their job search. You’ll be more likely to get to talk to someone at your target company since they won’t be as busy. Your resume may be read more thoroughly since there won’t be as many coming through. Standing out like this could help you come January, when hiring is back in full force.

Still, it’s not enough to blast your resume out during the month of December and hope for the best. Your search will be much more effective if you’re strategic in your approach. First of all, consider what you want. What positions are you interested in, and at which companies? Do they have an open job posted or are you trying to get on their radar for the future?

Next, determine who you need to talk to. If possible, go straight to the hiring manager of the department. You can often find this out through a little online research or by calling the company’s main number. Drastically increase your odds of getting in touch by finding a contact to refer you.

Be clear on your message and what you have to offer. Your resume should clearly communicate how you can add value to a company, and you should be able to confidently articulate this when you make contact with the decision maker. Finally, remember that this is process. Be prepared to follow up, wait, follow up again, and be told to call back after the new year. Though it’s easy to get discouraged, rest assured that you’re ahead of the curve and this can only help you end your job hunt with an offer!