With the Holiday Season fast approaching, it can be tempting to abandon your freelance writing job search in favor of getting together with friends, shopping, baking and other enjoyable activities. I’m all for shopping, baking, hanging out with friends and family and enjoying all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer, but you should also devote some time to connecting with prospective clients.

Be careful when you to go holiday-related events, though: chances are you are going to run into someone who will be less than encouraging about your career and your chances of getting your next gig. You know who they are: the people who tell you that there are “no jobs out there” and that you shouldn’t bother to look. That’s hearsay and you shouldn’t give it any more consideration than they do in a court of law – which is none.

Go with the evidence instead: Businesses don’t shut down completely at Christmas, and you may find that it’s easier to connect with decision-makers who are in a position to hire you at this time of year. Someone has to mind the store, after all, and the person who is most likely to be doing that is the one who has his or her name over the door (figuratively speaking).

The more often you do something to advance your job search, the better your chances of getting hired. Don’t ignore the Holidays; take some time to enjoy getting together with family and friends, but don’t be shy about telling people about what you do and telling them that you have a few openings in your schedule. You never know where your next gig is going to come from.

How do you deal with hearsay from other people? Do you find it challenging to stay focused on evidence?