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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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!
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
When disaster strikes a business, whether it’s a financial, reputation, or business loss, the business enters unknown territory. It needs a legal guide to help it repair the damage and get the business back on track. It’s not a time to improvise, ask friends and relatives, or find solutions online. The business management needs a personal adviser with experience and ability to help fix what needs fixing.
Recovery from a business loss is a legal as well as financial matter. Law firms can provide guidance and referrals to financial, reputation management and public relations, and loss mitigation professionals. They can take legal action to limit ongoing loss situations. If losses are a result of others’ actions, other legal avenues may also be pursued to avoid further losses and recover for current ones.
Legal firms can act as “incident commanders,” professionals who direct a recovery operation in times of disaster. This gives business owners a chance to keep the focus on continuing operations during the recovery period, and makes sure that recovery strategy is not an afterthought.
Financial recovery can require audits, forensic accounting, or management of a criminal investigation. Reputation management and public relations helps to keep the business’ successes and value to the community clearly visible. Loss mitigation can help limit physical losses and ensure that company assets of any type are accounted for and that their value is maintained.
Businesses need to know where to find a law firm to provide recovery services. Online advertising with companies such as Google or Yahoo can catch business owners’ attention while they read business news online or check sports scores. Firms can reach out to local businesses directly or through the Yellow Pages.
Chambers of commerce and organizations such as the National Federation of Independent Business provide introductions with trusted firms in the community. Companies which know the legal services market can help to establish a presence with both small and medium sized businesses and multinationals which may need local help.
Just as businesses need to be ready when unexpected situations cause losses, so law firms need to position themselves to help companies avoid strategic mistakes. They can provide damage control and help recover losses so that the business is back running smoothly and with minimal harm to business operations. Law firms can be trusted advisers in a time of great need and uncertainty.
Amanda Green is a freelance writer who writes on the topics of career, personal finance, and law. Some of her advice includes saving money as a business, finding the right legal services like LexisNexis legal marketing, and how to turn your master's degree into a higher salary.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
