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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True story...
Years ago, I worked for a temporary staffing agency. It was Friday morning and the manager of our Boston office got a phone call from a client. Not just any client, but a prestigious, conservative bank client, who simply said, "I'm sending the worker you have here today home." The manager was shocked. The employee had been there since Monday, and by all accounts, had been doing a wonderful job as their receptionist. The manager said, "Why? What's happened?" The client said, "Why don't you come see for yourself." The manager grabbed her coat and ran out the door. We didn't see her for the rest of the day.
The manager returned after 5pm to our office, shaking her head. "What happened?" we asked. She said, "I got to the client's office and there was our employee, sitting at the reception desk of this huge bank. She was dressed in a skin-tight silver mini-dress and 4-inch matching silver pumps. I asked her why she was dressed that way and she told me she had plans to go out that night and wasn't going to have time to change. So, instead of professional attire, she came dressed for the nightclub. I had to send her home. And, since there was no one else to cover the reception desk for the client - I did it myself."
Let's face it, plenty of people make major fashion don'ts when it comes to dressing for work. In the last month alone, I've heard several stories that made me think, "Seriously? A voice in your head didn't say, BAD CHOICE!" Like the woman that wore the flimsy spaghetti strap tank top that was two sizes too small to her interview and then cursed out loud when she found out she was interviewing with a woman instead of a man. She even went on to have a "Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl" moment when one of the straps broke. Or, the woman that wore so much perfume that the interviewer had to ask her to leave because he was allergic and couldn't stop sneezing. Now, I"m not saying men don't make mistakes. My all-time favorite is the guy that came to the interview without socks or shoe laces! And yet, for some reason, women seem to get the most flack for making fashion don'ts. I'm guessing it's because they have so many more clothing options to choose from, it's just too easy to slip up. (Yep, pun intended)
I reached out to professional attire expert, Jennifer Gregory, from www.WorkChic.com, a site that helps women make smart style choices, to see if there were any other dress-for-success rules women seemed to be overlooking these days. Here's what she had to say:
"We are forever hopeful that women know and understand that their clothing should be well pressed and not revealing in an interview. However though you may feel your skirt is the appropriate length when standing up the most forgotten rule is remembering where the skirt ends up when you sit down. Before running out the door, take a seat in front of a mirror. Cross your legs and make sure you are not revealing more then intended. Another overlooked item is your handbag. Take a few minutes the night before to de-clutter and pair down any unnecessary items. You don't want your perspective employer to get a sneak peek at your chaos and give them any premonition on what your future desk or projects could look like! Remember they are making assumptions based on how you present yourself. Make sure every aspect of your ensemble, from resume to peep toe pumps, gives that lasting impression!”
Great advice. Now, that being said, let me ask all of you...What's the worst fashion don't you've seen on-the-job? Did you tell the person? Better still, got any tips you'd like to share for making sure your professional attire is sending the right message? Post them below!
The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.
