Happy Small Business Week! In celebration of the holiday, we’ve rolled out a new look for one of our most powerful tools. It can help small businesses compete with the behemoths to hire top-notch employees. That sounds like a bunch of bunk, doesn’t it? It’s not about being the cool company with the nap pods, or the one that will pay your grad school tuition in-full. You don’t need anything like that to convince people your company is the right one for them. With the right Employment Branding strategy, you can show how your company is different than its competitors. It’s not corporate jargon that no one will read. You have the opportunity to give potential employees a glance at what your company’s personality really is. In combination with the right recruiting platform, you can show the perfect message to exactly the right person at the opportune time. If you’ve built your business up to any level of success at this point, you know that you have to work smart in addition to (and sometimes instead of) working hard. We’ve been able to focus our efforts on the right things for clients, so they can get to the things they do best. Do you remember what your first wise purchase was? It may have been a tool that helped you do your job faster or a program that organized things for you. Maybe it was an employee that took your company to a level you could barely imagine at the time. You have a chance to get that feeling again with the right move. Let a free conversation with us bring that feeling back. If you sign up to get access to our free webinar, "Drab to Fab: How to Create a Smokin’ Hot Employment Brand," you’ll receive a free Employment Branding Consultation from us. We’ll spend half an hour talking with you about your current problems, your goals, and how the right hiring methods can get you there faster. When you’re dealing with a small team, you need every player to have MVP capabilities. We can show you how to add to your all-star team. If you’re asking, “How would Employment Branding work for my company?” then give this page a look: How Employment Branding Works [Infographic]. Let’s work together to make your small business a little bit bigger by this time next year. Small Business Week is almost over, but there’s still time to let this be your best call of the week. Happy Branding!
Finding a job during the holidays is no easy task. You have to navigate vacations, slow hiring processes, and increased competition. Yet with the right strategy, it can be done.
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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