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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It’s frustrating. A Franchise Disclosure Document is extremely important to read. And equally as boring.
This document and the Franchise Agreement set out the complete terms under which you become a franchisee. You might have great conversations with the franchise representative. You might get to know, like, and trust him. But what matters is what’s in writing.
If you are considering buying a franchise, you will need to get comfortable with this entire, legal-ease filled document. Let’s start with a description: What exactly is the Franchise Disclosure Document?
In the United States, franchises are all regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). One of the regulations requires every franchise to publish a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) every year.
Every year the document must be updated with current information. The FTC dictates what information must be included in the FDD. The FTC actually writes the table of contents. They ensure that each franchise company provides the same kinds of information, usually called “items.”
There are 23 sections in the FDD. Let’s review of some of the most crucial parts.
There will be information on the senior managers of the company. That is something you would want to know. Has there been an ownership change? If so, do the new owners have a background in the industry? Have the owners ever filed bankruptcy? This is the kind of information that will be included on the ownership, in items number one, two, and four.
Has this company ever had a major law suit? If so, it will be detailed in the FDD. We all know even the most ethical company can be taken to court in The United States these days.
So a single lawsuit might not be a reason to worry. But some franchise companies have literally dozens of suits between them and the individual franchisees. If you see that kind of litigation history you know you could be in for big trouble after joining that franchise. That’s a reason to pay attention to item number three – Litigation.
You know you have to make an investment in order to start a franchise, but how much? That’s also in the FDD. The company will give you ranges for every start-up cost that franchisees typically experience: rent and advertising and construction. They’ll tell you how much cash you should have on hand in order to cover your costs after you open. Look at items number five, six, and seven for this information.
Most people know that a McDonald’s franchisee must purchase all of their food products directly from the franchiser. Does your franchise have a rule like this? You can find out in items 8 and 16.
Some franchises give you a protected territory, while others do not. Neither of these is necessarily “better,” but you’ll want to read item 12 to understand how the territory works in the franchise you are considering.
Item 19 is the one that is most often talked about. This is the only optional part of the FDD. In this section, the franchisor is permitted to share the financial results that existing franchisees have. This is obviously important information to have.
Unfortunately, only about one-third of franchisors provide this. But don’t worry – if yours does not, there is still a way to get this information.
The last item we will mention is usually cited as the most valuable. In Item 20 the franchisor must show you how many franchises they have, as well as how many have opened and closed for the past two years. What’s better is that they also have to provide phone numbers for every last franchisee.
Why is this so valuable? Because those franchisees are your best source of information on the business. You can pick up the phone and call as many of the existing franchisees as you like. Whatever you want to know about the business, you can ask them.
The existing franchisees will give you an inside look into exactly what it’s like to own this franchise. We find they usually give it to you straight – warts and all. And after all, no one is in a better position to tell you what the business is really like than the people who are working in the business every day.
So, yes, the FDD is boring reading. There is data and figures and statistics and charts. All the things that might make your eyes glaze over. But look hard at that document. It is the key to learning just how good of an opportunity that franchise really is.
