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 am a Business Executive in the financial services sector. I have been operating in this capacity for about 15 years.
I manage clients and help to create financial plans for new ones. My work includes creating financial plans for individuals and businesses. One of the biggest misconceptions about business executives is we are all lazy and fly private jets. Most of us are pretty average, hard-working wage earners.
On a scale of one to 10, I would rate my job satisfaction as a 10. I enjoy helping others meet their financial goals and working with new clients on a regular basis. I think a less demanding work schedule and a better work/life balance would allow me to unleash my full enthusiasm.
I have been in finance for as long as I can remember. I've always been interested in running a business, and I studied all that I could about the world of finance. When I started college, I knew I wanted to be a business executive, and I genuinely feel that it is my sweet spot in life.
One of the things that is unique about my situation is that I was not always on the track to working in the corporate arena. I originally wanted to be a small business owner and work in a local community as an insurance agent or . A summer internship was my discovery into the world of corporate finance.
I studied finance in college, and dug very deeply into the field of study. I took a summer internship at a large investment bank and learned everything I could about the field. If I could go back and do things differently, I would have taken a second internship and branched out into other areas of business management.
In this job, there are many hard lessons to learn. For one thing, nothing is guaranteed. I have found out the hard way that it is not wise to make promises to clients that you can't keep. I lost a major client for the company when an expected transaction didn't turn out the way we had promised.
The single most important thing that I have learned outside of school about the working world is that learning doesn't stop when you graduate. You have to keep up with changing technology and new information or you will be left behind.
The strangest thing that has happened to me in this job was a prospective client who insisted on meeting me in his home to discuss his portfolio. It was definitely a departure from the norm, but we accommodated him. He turned out to be one of our best clients.
I get up and go to work each day to make a difference in other people's lives. I really feel good or proud when I see my account executives working hard to make people's financial goals come to fruition. With the economy's challenges, it's great to be able to help hard-working people get their financial lives back on track. It's also a source of pride to help small businesses flourish and thrive in the community.
There are many challenges associated with the job. I have to deal with very high, pressure-cooker situations on a regular basis. Some factors are out of the realm of the company's control, and it makes you want to tear your hair out daily. Market fluctuations, natural disasters, international events---there are many things that can affect your work and make it more difficult.
On a scale of one to 10, I would say the stress level of being a business executive is about a 10. There are all sorts of situations that need your attention, fires to put out and problems to solve. During some periods, I work 70-hour weeks. It doesn't allow for a healthy work-life balance. The important thing is to be aware of when your stress levels are high and deal with them before they become a problem. It's a high-stress position, but I enjoy every minute of it.
A rough salary range for the position I hold is around $250,000. The position also includes a generous benefit package, commissions and bonuses. The starting salary for my position is around $175,000 and increases with experience. I believe I am paid enough, and I am quite happy living within my means. I will admit it takes a lot of "paying your dues" to work your way up to my position, but our company definitely rewards you for your hard work. Many of our executives started off as interns, assistants and entry-level account executives.
I am allowed up to four weeks vacation every year. I usually don't take all of my vacation days, especially during busy periods at the office. I know it is better for me to take my vacation time to recharge, but I find it hard to completely disconnect. Even when I am not in the office, I'm checking e-mail, sending out updates, and delegating tasks. Next year I plan to take a luxury cruise with my wife--and leave my cell phone at home!
This is a true story as told to JustJobs.com, where you can find helpful career interviews and job search advice to break into the career field you've been looking at. Visit to find an interview in your desired field today. JustJobs.com is ajob search engine that finds job listings from company career pages, other job boards, newspapers and associations. With one search, they help you find the job with your name on it.Business executive job image from Shutterstock
