I'm a Bahamian Citizen who's been attending university in the US for 6 years. I've been traveling back and forth to the Bahamas twice a year each year (summer and Christmas). I wasn't sure how long my OPT would take to arrive so I applied for it rather early and received it in MAY even though I didn't graduate until in July. Since then, I've been actively perusing jobs but haven't had any luck yet. That means on my 1 year deadline to find work and an employer who will sponsor me, I have exhausted 5 months-- no job yet. Kind of scary. Also, I didn't make it home for the summer (because I graduated and my family came to me) so I really want to go home for Christmas which coming up very soon. I have two questions.
1) (in the event I don't have a job before then) Can I re-enter the US with my valid Passport, expired visa and I-20, but a still valid OPT?
2)how hard is it today to find an employer who will sponsor me and how and when do I go about asking them to? is that a question I should ask at the interview? first day on the job? when?

any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.