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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People get help from each other every day. You wouldn’t think twice about accepting a scholarship or grant. You probably look forward to that big check from Aunt Mildred on your birthday. But when it comes to accepting help from the government, the suggestion is often taboo.
There’s a stigma attached to government funding that tends to make people feel as though they’ve hit rock bottom. Embarrassed and proud, they will go to great lengths to avoid taking “a handout.” But sometimes accepting help from government programs and food stamps is all it takes to ease the financial burden and help you get back on your feet.
If you find yourself on the brink of seeking out government assistance, you certainly aren’t alone. In fact, in 2011 one in every six people in the U.S. received food stamps. And contrary to what some people believe, the recipients were not all irresponsible drug addicts and alcoholics. Many are highly educated people. They may have lost a job due to a downturn in the economy or need help to get them through a divorce or to help pay for an unexpected accident, illness or death.
Statistics show that as many as one quarter of the Americans who are eligible for food stamps don’t participate in the program. If you’re one of them, would it make you feel better to know that while growing up, the families of Oprah Winfrey, Toby McGuire, and Prince Fielder used food stamps? So, did the mother of Olympian Gabby Douglas. And then there’s Whoopi Goldberg, who periodically lived on government assistance before she became a celebrity.
That said, it’s time to bury the embarrassment and make this assistance work for you. Keep in mind that we’re not suggesting that anyone cheat the system or abuse the funds they’re given. But if your funds are running low and you need help, take it. Especially if you have a family to support, food stamps and the like will help you stay afloat while you search for a job or start your own business.
Job hunting or starting a business can be costly. You need the right clothes, a computer to send and check emails and a cell phone to get calls. If you’re striking out on your own, you’ll still need that phone and computer. You may also need to rent space, but even a home office will need a desk, printer, and other office supplies. Add in business cards, etc. and you’ll see how it’s easy to spend more money than you bring in at the beginning.
But you need to spend money to make money, the saying goes. And if that’s the case, it helps to have a backup. Sometimes not spending money on your business or job search will actually sabotage the effort. If no one knows about you, they can’t hire you or buy your product or service. You need to spend both time and money to give your career the focus and attention it deserves. And that may mean taking help for awhile to make ends meet.
In addition to food stamps – or in place of them if it makes you feel better – there are government and local programs you might want to explore. Assistance in the form of grants and training is often available for small businesses or companies run by women or minorities, among others. Sometimes there’s funding available for businesses in certain fields, such as the tech industry.
And if starting a business is too much to handle (or not of interest to you), there is usually free help and training available through the employment office or career support groups in your area.
You might be uncomfortable accepting assistance, but remember it might be all it takes to help get you on your feet again sooner. And once you no longer need it, you can always pay it forward by helping someone else in their career.
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