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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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
Bigstock
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!
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
Hi Dorothy, My two Master's degrees are in International Business in 2008 and International Relations in early 2010. I was looking for a middle management role given my education and I have had 10-12 interviews over five months but I get stuck in the interview process because I do not have work experience. I have had interviews for the position of a Research Associate, Business Analyst and other marketing roles. I look at job portals to an extent but most jobs there need somebody with experience, so I look at people with a marketing profile on LinkedIn and apply to such companies, I did get my last few interview calls through my job search on LinkedIn only. But now I seem to have hit a dead end as I have applied to most companies. I also do not have great networks and feel lost when others with similar profile as me get jobs through their relatives and friends whilst I have nothing in my hand. I do not possess any work experience other than a six month internship and and some volunteering experience. I do possess two Master's degrees though. But I am not getting the right job - which I thought I would after two Master's degrees in Management. I am 28, desperate for a job and quite frustrated. What should I do?
Hi N,
Generally speaking, obtaining a position as a manager in most businesses does require experience – not necessarily as a manager but in the content/process of the area being managed. Is that the case 100% of the time? No, I do know of companies that have “management training programs” where you don’t have to be experienced in their particular business. Generally, that is in a retail setting.
Nevertheless, they want to train you in BOTH their business and their way of managing.
Going back to the prior scenario, the fact you have also pursued positions in non-management positions is good and in fact, best for your strategy. You need to get a position that will get you into a company and then grow into a management position. The reason why businesses rarely let an inexperienced person (even with education) take on a management position without experience is because of the complexity. You are leading people and that’s complex all by itself. It is hard to lead people if you can’t relate to how the work is being produced.
You also have to be a role model, so they need to know you can be a role model, have a good work ethic and know the business well enough to know how to produce. Think of it like reading about flying a plane – it’s too complex to take on simply by educating yourself; you need experience to be fully capable. I think you are “over reaching” by pursuing management positions right now unless you want to pursue retail management. I would suggest looking for individual contributor positions and grow into management.
The one thing you’ve said that does concern me is your interviewing. With 10-12 interviews, statistically you should have had an offer by now. I’m going to suggest you do some post mortem to figure out where and what is going wrong.
You mention the “stuck” spot is finding out your lack of experience. That should have been fairly obvious simply by looking at your resume, so the surprising part is they went ahead to interview you knowing your background. I’m going to make a couple of guesses for you to fold into your reexamination of this process.
