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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I heard that question, “So what?" the other day. It was a recruiter talking to us career professionals about resumes and profiles. We were gathered for a three day virtual conference to discuss career coaching topics. One of the three days was focused on resumes and profiles. The first session was a panel of nationally recognized recruiters discussing the future of the resume versus the online profile.
In a nutshell, a solid resume is still a must. In addition, a solid profile is also necessary. Resumes should be customized to the specific job where as the LinkedIn profile can have a broader base.
Back to our above question – SO WHAT? – and the recruiter. What was she trying to say? Basically, that when it comes to marketing yourself, you must answer this question at the deepest level. You have to understand the value you have brought to your past organizations and what you can bring to your next employer.
When it comes to resumes and LinkedIn profiles do these three things:
1. How can you solve my problem? 2. Keep to the point. 3. Key words are key.
Let me explain more.
1. How can you solve my problem? What this recruiter, and the two others that joined her on this panel, was saying is why should I interview you or hire you if you can’t fix my problem. As a job seeker, here is what you need to take away from this; research, find out their problem, and tell them how you can solve it.
2. Keep to the point. Be succinct in your phrasing. No need for lengthy paragraphs or extraneous words. Write in quality phrases and soundbites. Always put numbers driven information at the beginning of your phrase – front load.
3. Key words are key. Stay with quality words that match up with the core skills the employer is looking for. Use nouns or verbs not adjectives. Look at the job qualifications and where you match up with those, use the same phrasing.
I can’t emphasize enough doing solid research on your target organizations is key to being able to answer some of these questions and to landing your next job. Draft up your “so whats” for your past work. Research the needs of future employers. Answer “so what” again for that employer. This will help you get there faster.
Lisa Adams, founder of Fresh Air Careers, is a certified career management coach and job search strategist, specializing in helping young professionals navigate the waters of their first career transition.Image from OneO2/Shutterstock
