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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I’m sure when you read the title of this email you thought, “What?! Is she serious? That’s terrible! Why would J.T. say that?” – at least I’m hoping that was your reaction!
Now, I want you to imagine you are standing in front of someone supremely confident. A person who outwardly appears they have their act together. They smile at you and say, “You will NEVER get a job because you are...” Then, fill in the rest of the sentence with every negative thing you say to yourself about why you haven’t found a new job yet.
How does that make you feel?
I hope it makes you angry. I hope you imagine yourself responding by saying, “Who are YOU to say I will never get a job,” because that’s the reaction you should be having. Why? Because nobody, absolutely NOBODY has the right to define the ending to your career story…including you. And sadly, the person most likely doing this very thing to you is the person you look at in the mirror.
Here’s why...
We are our own worst critics. Especially, when we are failing to achieve something we are working on that we see as vital to our happiness. And let’s face it - nothing is more important to us than being able to say with pride and satisfaction what we do for a living. We are obsessed with doing work we think others will respect. That’s why we are so darn hard on ourselves when we can’t find that ideal position.
It’s time to stand up to your inner naysayer!
In all the years I’ve been coaching, I know one thing to be true: the ability to find career satisfaction on our own terms (even in the worst economy!) lies within us. We have to believe we deserve to find this satisfaction. We also have to let go of the toxic concept of finding work that impresses others. Don’t believe me? Then just ask any person you know who likes their work, and more importantly, likes themselves. They’ll tell you it comes down to the stories they tell in their heads. They like the work they do. They derive happiness from it, regardless of what it pays, what the title is, or what others think of it.
NOTE: If you don’t have at least four people in your life you admire for being truly satisfied with their career choice, then you need to start networking. Surrounding yourself with people who have this type of happiness is vital to teaching you how to find the same.
This week, ask yourself,"Am I guilty of denying myself the career success and satisfaction I want?" If so, then it’s time to start working through this crisis of confidence.
If you're a CareerHMO.com member, I encourage you to e-mail me and share your true fears. Own up to being too hard on yourself. Let’s talk through and re-write the script in your head. I promise, as soon as you start changing this mindset, the sooner we’ll start to see opportunities for you to grow professionally.
J.T. O’Donnell is founder and CEO of CAREEREALISM.com and CareerHMO.com.Image from Gunnar Pippel/Shutterstock
