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Here is gift to job-hunters from Thewritemyessay team. It is the latest advice and resources on hot job sectors, and on finding, winning and enjoying employment. Best wishes for a successful and rewarding career year.

• Never stop looking, even when employed. Use social events to meet new contacts and to spread the word about your quest for new opportunities. Even the mail carrier may know a business that is hiring.

• Send electronic holiday cards to thank and update job-search helpers, human resources staff and others. Use the cards to open contact with a potential employer.

• Create and practice a 1-minute speech that describes your ideal job and your qualifications for getting it. Be ready to document your successes with examples in dollars, sales, products, innovations, projects, awards and other actual successes that benefitted your employers.

• Volunteer or work part time to meet area workers and employers, to polish and gain skills, as well as to boost your self-esteem. Denver’s daily newspapers list volunteer opportunities, as well as full- and part-time job openings.

• Know what you love to do and what you do well. Identify employers who could use your assets, then contact them. Don’t wait for a job opening.

• Know what’s hot in metro Denver. Here are the occupations with the most job vacancies: Food preparation and serving workers - 1,370 estimated openings; waiters and waitresses - 1,364; registered nurses - 1,269; nursing aides, orderlies, attendants - 808; landscaping and grounds keeping workers - 426; customer service representatives - 362; receptionists, information clerks - 359; elementary school teachers, except special education - 314; child care workers - 269; restaurant cooks - 260; secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education - 253.

• Contact your college or school alumni association to attend social events and find area alumni to contact about career possibilities.

• Read books to learn from experts:

Do What You Are by Paul Tieger and Barbara Batton Tieger (Little, Brown), choose a career based on your personality and passions

Winning the Interview Game: Everything You Need to Know to Land the Job, Alan H. Nierenberg (AMACOM)
Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, Theresa Szczurek of Boulder (John Wiley & Sons) identifies strategies for achieving a successful business and personal life.

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters: 400 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job, Jay Conrad Levinson and David Perry (Wiley) customize an aggressive job search.

The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules and Eye Opening Advice for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters that Work, Scott Bennett (AMACOM).

• Use the Internet to find employers in your field, learn about these businesses, and see and apply for their job vacancies.

• Ask how you can help others succeed. That’s the best networking ice-breaker and good business, too.

• Join an association in your occupation to meet contacts, stay current and get encouragement.

• Create a resume. This applies to everyone, from teens looking for a first job to blue-collar workers, volunteers and all others. Every resume should have your contact information, education, computer knowledge, work or volunteer experience, positive personal traits and service skills.

• Never put on a resume marital status, hobbies, Social Security number, birth date, photo or salary history.

• Compile a list of references. Find an employer, teacher, minister, colleague or friend who will detail your best characteristics to a potential employer. List three people with their name, title and phone number. Give it to an employer only when asked; then alert your references that they may be contacted.

• Search the hidden job market by identifying companies that need your skills, then contacting department managers directly with a telephone call, e-mail, cover letter and resume.

• Don’t ask about salary before the employer discusses it. Know what your skills and the position are worth. Check on www.salary.com or employees for local data. Don’t feel obligated to take the first offer; negotiate if it is inadequate. Consider other compensation offered, such as medical benefits. Get it in writing.

• Build a safety net. Keep your skills current. Diversify by exploring multiple career options in adjacent, related areas. For example, teach or sell in your field. Don’t get caught with no where to go.

• Turn a hobby into a paycheck. Make crafts to sell, "baby sit" pets, design Web pages, troubleshoot computers and more. Look for books, small business agencies and local interest groups for advice.

• Maintain good mental, financial and physical health. Be alert to stress. Do not develop unsafe coping habits based on eating, alcohol or drug use, gambling or spending. Eat well, sleep enough and exercise regularly to stay healthy for life at home and at work.