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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One of my favorite quotes is your success can be no greater than your plans are sound. Sadly, though, too many of us “fly blind” in our lives and our careers.
I should know.
For a long time – eight years to be exact – I did the same thing. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do professionally, so I just took opportunities as they came to me. I thought I was happy. I had a job I enjoyed at a boutique communications firm and I was making decent money.
Things were going well, right?
Perhaps on the outside. But the truth was I couldn’t shake a nagging feeling something was missing in my life. That I was supposed to do more…something BIG… if only I could figure out what it was. I felt like I had this fireball of ambition growing, but absolutely nowhere to channel it. So I just sat back and let life happen to me for way too long.
But then something did happen. (Unplanned and unforeseen by me of course… )
I changed jobs and went to work in an organization more than a hundred times larger than the communications firm. And after a few weeks of settling in to corporate life, someone asked me a question I’ll never forget.
“Have you filled out your career plan yet?”
Huh? My previous job, while quirky and fun in its own right, was simply too small and understaffed to have “career plans” for its employees, so I’d never been exposed to the concept. Once I found a copy of the plan, however, it was a total “light bulb” moment.
“This is the framework that will help me find FOCUS in my career.”
Hallelujah! [Insert audio of angels singing and clouds parting.] After almost a decade in the workforce, I finally had a document that would help me identify my goals and act on them. It was a turning point in my success and, now, I want to give YOU the tools to create your own career plan so you can truly get organized, get motivated, and get what you want. So I hope you’ll join me for a free CAREEREALISM webinar where I’ll show you step-by-step how to:
- Identify your goals
- Transform them from “wishful thinking” into serious action
- Track your progress along the way
Regardless of whether you’re in a large corporate environment, a small office, or work for yourself, a proactive approach to your career will help you achieve long-term success – and this session is full of all the information you need to get started. Don’t make the mistake I did and allow days to turn into years with no clear direction in your career. Sign-up now for a jam-packed hour that will help you hone in on your priorities and inspire you to take action to achieve them.
Remember: Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
Note: This webinar has already occurred. If you are interested in learning more on this topic, please e-mail Emily at ebennington@msn.com.
Emily Bennington is the co-author of "Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job," a book written with her own post-college boss and mentor. Emily teaches a graduate-level course on professionalism and is passionate about helping career newbies become emerging leaders.The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock
