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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In this job market, internship and entry-level job candidates are searching for months, and sometimes more than a year, to land the positions they seek. They claim to be “doing all the right things,” but what are the “right things” these days? What is really going to secure these coveted junior-level positions and get your career off to a good start? These questions and more will be answered by esteemed career experts in a free online panel discussion.
Date: Sunday, August 2
Time: 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time To Register for FREE: click here
Panelists: Heather R. HuhmanHeather R. Huhman is founder and president of Come Recommended, the company sponsoring the panel program. An experienced hiring manager who has been in nearly every employment-related situation possible, Heather knows and understands the needs of today’s employers and internship and entry-level job candidates. She is also the entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com.
J.T. O’Donnell
J.T. O’Donnell is a nationally syndicated career expert, author and founder of CAREEREALISM.com. Her work has been noted by leading sources including, CareerBuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for its timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals, ages 18-40. In 2009, O’Donnell founded the Twitter Advice Project that currently has 15+ top career experts providing FREE advice to job seekers.
Maria Pascucci
Maria Pascucci is the founder and president of Campus Calm and author of the award-winning book Campus Calm University: The College Student’s 10-Step Blueprint to Stop Stressing & Create a Happy, Purposeful Life. In the two years since Maria launched Campus Calm, she has attracted a panel of 17 educational experts, published a book, been featured in national media outlets around the world and speaks at colleges nationwide.
Tim Besse
Tim Besse is co-founder and vice president of product and marketing of Glassdoor.com, a career and workplace community. Previously, Tim was the director of product management and online marketing the Asia Pacific division of Expedia. In this role, Tim developed new markets in Australia, Japan, and China, and assumed general management responsibility of the Hotels.com business in Asia. In other Expedia roles, Tim helped launch other early stage businesses, including Expedia’s telesales and private label businesses as well as its online luxury offering, Classic Custom Vacations. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Stephanie Gurtman
Stephanie Gurtman is the co-founder of InternshipRatings.com, a resource for students to evaluate and research internship opportunities. She is currently a senior at Boston University in the College of Communication pursuing a B.S. in Publication Relations and a minor in French. Stephanie is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Public Relations Student Society of America, Boston University Chapter.
Lauren Grunstein
Lauren Grunstein is the co-founder of InternshipRatings.com, a resource for students to evaluate and research internship opportunities. She is a rising senior at Boston University and currently a public relations & social influence intern at Mullen in Boston, MA. Lauren’s previous internship experience includes fashion public relations, branding and social media.
Shawn Graham
Shawn Graham is Director of MBA Career Services at the University of Pittsburgh and author of Courting Your Career: Match Yourself with the Perfect Job. Shawn is a frequent commentator in online and print publications including a popular blog at FastCompany.com and articles for CollegeJournal.com and The Charlotte Observer. He has been cited in such outlets as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and msnbc.com.
To register for the event, click here.
