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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The new world of work is characterized by "relentless change."
How do we become "relentless changers"?
First, we commit to becoming as relevant and current as we can. Upgrade your skills, take some classes, invest in career coaching, stay informed about your industry, market, state, country, world. Some great resource for this are www.trendwatching.com, www.mashable.com, and www.quintcareers.com.
Second, clearly define your "UBE": UNIQUE BRAND ESSENCE. We are the sum total of our DNA skills, work skills and personal or intangible skills. All the jobs we have had count toward forming our unique personal essence. Are you better at numbers and charts, or words and creative ideas? Maybe you have a little of both? Each of us is a unique brand and has a unique essence that motivates us. Finding those passions, your key skills and rethinking how you can adapt and apply all of it, so you leap out of bed each day is where your career and personal happiness will be found.
Third, extend your "UBE" by self promotion and networking both online and in person. Find the social platform that is the most fun, best suited for you and most practical to advance your career goals. Learn the rules of engagement, promote others and add value to people’s day. LinkedIn and Twitter can be huge connectors and door openers. Facebook and YouTube can be environments to express your persona and get more personal to your community. Blend your online and offline activities and GET PERSONAL. Meeting people online is the bridge to that phone call or in person meeting where that NEXT LEAD, CONNECTION OR JOB WILL COME FROM.
Fourth, develop your perseverance and resilience. These are more than challenging times for anyone. Make SMART Goals, stay focused on your daily and weekly plan, build great habits, have accountability partners and use a support system. Stay in the action and ‘do-er’ mode. When you believe you can succeed you will.
Fifth, keep refining and stay inside your career success process. Relentless change requires having systems, processes and habits in place that need to be reviewed, refined and tweaked regularly. Self evaluation and action is a potent formula!
EmPOWERer yourself daily to believe you can succeed.
Everything you need is already inside of you.
What it looks like is what it looks like NOW.
Creating opportunity for the new world of work is in each day. Pay attention to the signs, look for it in front of you and also on the periphery, act on it daily, and support others. Good times for opportunity are now; better times are just ahead over the next hill.
I am your advocate!
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