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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![Goal Setting in Your Career [Part 1]](https://www.workitdaily.com/media-library/image.png?id=19293064&width=980&quality=85)
Ah, goal setting! What thoughts go off in your head when you hear this expression?
For some this is a painful and boring thought of doing the tedious job of thinking up admirable goals and then not achieving them. Thus, feeling like a failure every year. So I can understand why many people still do not set goals and write them out regularly. I would like to have you look at it a bit differently this time. And for those that do the exercise of setting goals, this is a reminder that it is time to do it again or check in on how you are doing.
I do have to agree with some. It really does get boring hearing about goal setting every year. I first began setting goals while in college. It was in the 80’s and it was becoming a hot topic at the same time when time management became trendy. I was all gung-ho about setting goals and writing mission statements and then I let it go for a long, long, time. Marriage and kids took most of my time and I squeezed in a job there too. So that was it. Why set goals? I have no time.
Well, I have come full circle. Perhaps it is the business I am in or my kids are getting a bit older and more independent I am focusing on this again. Or even more so is I am finding so many people are not setting any goals it frustrates me to no end. We all have to have goals. Even if we haven’t written them down. We have desires in our hearts, don’t we? But how to see those desires or dreams come into being? Yes, you got it. We need to set goals.
Here are my recommendations for goal setting that hopefully will make it less stressful for you. Because really, the act of setting goals and following up WILL make a difference in your life - if you let it.
OK, are you ready? Here it is. There are various areas in our lives that deserve our time and attention. And by attention I am saying to regularly evaluate how are you doing in this area. I recommend to my clients to begin making plans for the next calendar year in early November. Some like the focus of the school calendar. You pick, whichever fits your life the best, go with it.
Areas worth setting goals:
Spiritual Health / Physical Financial Relationships Career / Business Personal Development Community*Adjust for your personal needs.
For me I adjust by adding two more sections; writing and home improvement. Since both are a part of my life and really can not be ignored or rolled into anything else, I include them as their own topics. I don’t want my writing goals to be hidden under career / business or person development because it is both. Home improvement is constant, so I might as well plan for it. If you own property, you know what I mean.
Are you still with me? Next up, I'll explain how to do this in Part 2 of the article. It's coming soon!
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.Read more » articles by this approved career expert | Click here » if you’re a career expertPhoto credit: Shutterstock
