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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Excuse me. Come again? Are you kidding? What is the first thing you do when you are in need of more information on ANY topic? About a celebrity? About a dream vacation? The weather? You Google it. That's right. I know you do—you Google it. What makes you think you are un-Googleble? Simply put, Facebook can affect your online brand, your digital reputation, your corporate identity, and ultimately your employability.
The most important thing you must realize is EMPLOYERS WILL ABSOLUTELY GOOGLE YOU. If you have a name, you are Googleble. If you have any social networking account, even if just one—you are definitely Googleble, which means your reputation is searchable. So, now that we established this, what do you do with that information?
A few takeaways... Facebook counts. Perhaps Facebook itself won't lead you to a job opportunity (perhaps). So, how does all this pertain to your (FB) Facebook account and your job search/career? For starters, if you are a professional who is already using Twitter, LinkedIn, and other online sites to job search, don't discard Facebook as a useless tool. Facebook results in Google searches. Therefore, it plays a role in building/influencing your online image. Consequently, you must decide if you are going to protect it (set it to private) or place some serious thought on what you share via FB.
Executives and hiring managers are on Facebook too. Imagine this: you decided to network via LinkedIn and Twitter (because you are just that cool). You connect with a few folks. Now these contacts found you on Facebook and request you as a "friend." You were not counting on this. (C'mon, you had no idea there were apps to find your Twitter friends on Facebook or the HR contact you connected with on LinkedIn would send you a friend request via FB.) Now what are you going to do about the not-so-polished brand you have been unintentionally building via FB?
What goes online, stays online forever. If you are not going to use FB to project a professional brand, yes you can set it to private. However, realize if you are networking with others—nothing is 100% protected online. If someone has access to it, it can be copied and it can be shared. Hence, it can go viral!
Where is all the fun going? I hear you now, "Can't anyone have fun online anymore?" Sure, but, remember that old saying, "Don't mix business with pleasure." Well, at times, that is still good advice. And, of course, it depends on what you call fun.
For social networking to be successful you must be friendly, and yes, some associates may become your friends. What you have to be cognizant about is which friends, what topics, and what's off limits. If you are ranging on-brand from professional to personal life, you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, you may need two separate Facebook accounts.
Be sure to join me on Facebook!
Rosa Elizabeth Vargas is the owner of Creating Prints, a professional resume writing service. She's an Elite Master Resume Writer (MRW), Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW), Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW), and Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW). Read more » articles by this approved career expert | Click here » if you’re a career expert Photo credit: Shutterstock
