By CAREEREALISM Founder, J.T. O'Donnell
For those of you that don't 'tweet' - let me tell you the #1 thingyou are missing out on: generosity. Twitter is the most giving community I've ever experienced. Yes, there are spammers and unsavory folks who are trying to make a quick buck, but get past that, do your homework on the right way to use Twitter and you can enter a world that, until now, has only been dreamed of. Let me explain....
Twitter is the great equalizer. You don't need extensive credentials, lots of money or a secret password to become a player in the Twittersphere. Anyone can sign up and tweet. Aside from internet access, there's no barrier to entry. Your success on Twitter will be determined by your ability to convey your message in a mere 140 characters. All it takes is some thoughtful consideration of what to say and how to say it. In other words, those using Twitter effectively have mastered how to say more with less. (A trait we can all work on, don't you think?)
You'll connect with the greatest folks you'll NEVER meet! In the last 7 months I've used Twitter, I've made more professional contacts, and even have a whole new set of folks I call friends, that started via simple Twitter exchanges. Like minds show no discrimination on Twitter. You can connect and befriend people on Twitter that I GUARANTEE you may not have otherwise. Where else can you get access to someone clear across the country (the world, for that matter) who lives in a small town that you most likely never intend to visit in your lifetime?
The Twitter community is rooted in kindness and good professional etiquette. If you want people to follow you, listen to you, and most importantly, respect you on Twitter - you need to create interesting, non self-serving tweets that make people say, "That was worth reading." Honestly, Twitter's power to do good makes me giddy. Why? Because it helped me make a dream come true...
Twitter Makes 'FREE' Worth Something. Years ago, when I became a career strategist, I took a course on how to promote my services. The advice given was, "Charge as much as you can. The higher the fees, the more satisfied the customer will be because they won't want to feel they made a bad buying decision, and thus, will embrace your ideas and rave about your services." The old, you-get-what-you-pay-for theory. As you can imagine, that didn't sit well with me. I already knew thousands of people were unhappy in their careers and couldn't afford working with a professional strategist (and that was in a good economy!). Fast forward to today, and Twitter's enabling me help those who need it most!
We started the Twitter Advice Project (a.k.a. T.A.P. into CAREEREALISM) less than 2 months ago. The idea was to have professional experts (I was lucky enough to convince a few charitable colleagues using Twitter to help me) donate their time and expertise to those in need by tweeting answers to career questions sent in by followers of the CAREEREALISM Twitter feed. As of today, we have 19 AMAZING experts tweeting to OVER 5,000 followers in need of advice. The program has exceeded every expectation I had for it. I get tweets daily from job seekers, thanking us for donating our time to help them get the advice they need. I've received dozens of requests to join the program from fellow experts as well. The best part everyone can participate. Experts who want to share their advice can tweet their own answers that will show up in the search results on Twitter, or they can post their advice directly on the original blog post of the question. And job seekers can easily go back and look at all the questions we've already answeredto immediately see the advice shared by the experts. Or, if they have a new question, they can submit it to us at twitter@workitdaily.com and get it answered directly.
So, if you are one of those folks who's been saying, "Twitter?! What do I need to do that for?" - I hope I just convinced you to get on board. There is a lot of wonderful giving and receiving going on via Twitter. The kind of stuff that makes you feel really happy. Don't miss out on your chance to experience the generosity of Twitter. Whether you choose to give or receive - it's all good!
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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