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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Welcome to the Career Bar & Grill!
Between Oprah’s new TV network and Donald’s ongoing show "The Apprentice," I think we can all agree these two business tycoons have very different leadership styles. The question is:
[poll id="11"]
Experts Weigh In
We asked over 100 career experts to weigh in on the debate, here’s what a few had to say:
Votes for Oprah
Oprah – by far. She is a positive person who looks for the best in people. Tweet 49 in my career advice book Success Tweets says, “Surround yourself with positive people. Hold them close. They will give you energy and help you create the career success you deserve.” I watch Oprah’s show occasionally and read her magazine after my wife finishes it. She is positive and inspiring. That’s why I think she has a management style superior to Donald Trump when it comes to being a mentor and helping you develop in your career. [Bud Bilanich | The Common Sense Guy]
Tough question. Oprah has a giving heart and is kind, but could she really discipline someone who needs it? On the other hand, Trump definitely has the rough and tough side of things, but many people can't work for someone with that management style. I'd have to go with Oprah, because it's easier to get her to be more firm than to get a hard-nosed person to soften up. [Ben Eubanks | HR Specialist]
Votes for Donald
Every “Apprentice” episode includes a segment where everyone is called into the board room, and while Trump is doggedly determined to find out root causes of team successes or failures, he also tosses out tidbits of his own observations of what could have happened better or what he thought worked well from a business standpoint. He’s pretty even handed but isn’t afraid to call someone out for a misguided decision. That, in a nutshell, helps the people on the show understand the bottom-line viewpoint of virtually any business owner. [Dawn Rasmussen | CTP, CMP, Chief Resume Designer]
Hands down Donald Trump has the best A-list management style. He has been building and managing all aspects of his companies and he hand picks the people that work for him. He is the perfect power of example of what he expects from employees from his professional image and brand, business fundamentals, instincts, innovation, intelligence, integrity, sense of humor and a big dose of heart. He leads by example and allows people the chance to show and bring their best. He would be a great mentor for anyone to apprentice under. [Deborah Shane | Motivator, Educator and Catalyst]
Donald Trump grooms business people to become CEO’s. "The Apprentice" is a very good example. Each contestant takes on a project management position. Candidates must prove themselves by managing a team of individuals at various skill levels with diverse personalities to organize an A-List event. The candidate is pushed to demonstrate his/her best talents and those of her team to win. They must have vision, knowledge, information, confidence, credibility and leadership. Successful employers must possess all of these attributes. Oprah, while offering a dynamic work and team environment, appears to be the chief decision-maker. [Shell Mendelson | Career Path Expert]
If forced to pick just one of them for superior style, I would give it to Donald Trump. Donald is highly skilled in numerous things that any employee could learn from. Among his skills: keen sense of business, outstanding negotiating skills, how he reads people, clear communications, sets expectations of all those who work for him, experience in diverse businesses and his deep affection for people. While Oprah is outstanding in many of the same things, Donald’s edge is his diverse industry experience and ability to transfer his skills successfully. [Dorothy Tannahill Moran | CPCC,ACC, Career Change Agent]
Now it’s your turn! Post your thoughts below in the comment section or on Twitter using the #CareerBG hashtag.
Who would you rather work for and why?See » what others are saying on Twitter
