Holiday gifts for the job hunter

With 7.2 percent unemployment on Long Island, you may have a job hunter or two on your holiday gift list. Think of items and services that are useful, forward-thinking, even lighthearted, said Bill Heather, senior vice president in the Melville office of Right Management, a career and outplacement firm. "At this time of year, people need to raise their spirits."

Apart from a solid job lead, items and services that may best serve are those that help people develop social media skills or come across as tech savvy, said Heather, as so much of the job search networking process is moving "from telephone to computer."

Some suggestions: 

What's Social

Gift

"The Twitter Job Search Guide: Find a Job and Advance Your Career in Just 15 Minutes a Day," co-authored by Deb Dib, a Medford-based executive coach. Cost: $14.95.

Twitter is the hot new way to find job leads, access information about employers and even connect with them directly. twitterjobsearchguide.com.

Also

Classes Such as LinkedIn for Job-Seekers group session, from the newly formed Social School Long Island, $250 for initial session and follow-up support (http://socialschoolli.com); and "Getting Started with Facebook" session March 26, Hofstra University Continuing Education, $49

What's New

Gift

QR-coded business cards. Cost: $50 and up. Do-it-yourselfers can create these at no or low cost, but others might appreciate professionally printed "quick response" coded cards that allow recruiters to open up the job hunter's website or LinkedIn profile by simply scanning the code with specially enhanced smart phones. True, not many recruiters are on to this yet, but doesn't the job hunter look up-to-date when asked about it, says Evan Bloom, co-owner of three Sir Speedy printing/marketing franchises on Long Island. sirspeedy.com/centers/WestburyNY200.

Also

Webcam. Attaches to older computers to allow job hunters to participate in Web video chats and interviews, as well as record and practice their answers to interview questions. Makers include Logitec, Microsoft and, Creative. 

New Look

Gift

Image upgrade. Cost: $100 an hour and up.

Job hunters who look like they've stepped out of the 1980s could use a session with an image consultant. To find one, ask Facebook friends for referrals or Google "image consultant" and the person's ZIP code, says Joann Dobrowolski, image consultant in Melville, who has worked with job hunters.

Also

Professional head shot: Recruiters are not impressed with blurry LinkedIn photos of candidates with kids or critters. Find a photographer who's social-media savvy to take that profile photo.

Connecting

Gift

Networking event. Cost: $25 and up.

What can beat a "Be my guest at . . ." invitation to a networking event, your treat, where you make introductions and the job hunter expands his or her networking contacts? Check business event calendars for ideas.

Also

Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts gift card, $2 and up: With all that networking with contacts over coffee, the cost of java can add up. starbucks.com and dunkindonuts.com

For Fun

Gift

Exotic chocolate tasting event. Cost: $30 and up.

Even if they don't get a job lead at these public events where people often exchange business cards, recipients still get to sample all that wine and chocolate. exoticchocolatetasting.com

Also

The person's business card or resume in chocolate. (dreamchocolate.com) And how about Champagne-toasting flutes for that happy day when your friend hears the words: "You're hired!"