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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One of this summer’s hottest concert series is by two 80’s boy bands. Yes, The New Kids on the Block (NKTOB) and the Backstreet Boys (BSB) are hitting the road and selling out places like Chicago. Now, if these guys can come back with a vengeance, then so can anyone out there who is feeling like their career is in the toilet. Just follow these three simple lessons to get back on top and claim your fame:
Lesson 1: Get over the past and focus on your future. You can’t go back to the glory days, but you can create new ones. Recognize the potential you have to offer current audiences (a.k.a. hiring managers). Of course you’ve changed over the years – that’s a good thing. Focus on how you’ve gotten better with age.
Lesson 2: Know who needs you. Not everyone is rushing to buy tickets to this concert – and that’s okay. These two boy bands know a certain audience wants to see them again. So, they’ve built their entire marketing strategy around attracting them. Why try to get the heavy metal enthusiasts to pay attention to your old-school pop? Instead, these boy bands looked at what their biggest fans wanted and said, “We’ll deliver.” The same applies to you. Stop trying to get every employer’s attention. Instead, focus on employers that value and respect what you offer. The result is far more rewarding and positive.
Lesson 3: Update your look. There’s no way anyone would take this concert series seriously if the boys tried to wear the outfits they wore back in the 80’s. I guarantee the dance moves won’t be the same either (just not as flexible as they used to be!). While they are keeping the music true to what their fans know and love, they realize that part of showing they’ve got staying power is knowing they need to look great for their age! Sadly, far too many job seekers get stuck in their own time warp. They stick with professional attire that worked for them when their career was working for them. It’s time to throw out the 10+ year old suit and get some fashion sense. If necessary, work with a stylist to make sure your look says, “I’m with it,” from head to toe.
To sum it up, any career bounce back like this is done with some honest self-evaluation and strategic planning. It’s not rocket science, it is just common sense. The hardest part is not letting our egos get in the way. Yet, if we can embrace the potential of the comeback, we can let go of what isn’t working and focus on what can help us move forward. And, if that doesn’t work, simply go listen to these bands biggest hits: Step by Step, Hangin Tough, and We’ve Got it Goin’ On (the titles alone say it all).
Now, what lessons did I miss? Share below any additional career takeaways we can glean from these 80’s boy bands’ big comeback.
J.T. O’Donnell is the founder of CAREEREALISM.com and CEO of CareerHMO.com, a web-based career development company.
