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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She had the resume to land a job as the contributing editor for an international business magazine, but her lack of business knowledge almost got her fired. A complete understanding of a job's requirements is an essential component for successful employment. Here's her true story:
I was thrilled when I landed the position of contributing editor for an internationally-known online business magazine. It had taken longer than a year of searching the Internet and local resources before I found this job, and it was practically a miracle that such a position was advertised in my own home town newspaper.
My background had been in proofreading and professional web writing. I was careful to stress my relevant experience during the interview and on my resume, and those valuable skills were immediately recognized by the magazine's publisher. I had the chops to impress my employer-to-be, and I was hired over multiple applicants from around the U.S.
Unfortunately, I had failed to realize my unfamiliarity with the business world in general would prevent me from immediate success. It was a foolish oversight on both the part of myself and of my employer, and my ignorance quickly put my job in jeopardy.
Although I had been hired under the title of contributing editor, I was demoted to the position of staff writer within the first few days. I practically had to start from the ground up because of my business naiveté, and it was only because the office needed help that I was able to maintain my position at all. It took me months to earn the respect of the publisher and become a trusted member of his editorial team. I kept kicking myself because I should have boned up on online commerce before I even applied for the job.
The reason I think I found this job at all is because I was persistent in the job search. I bookmarked a large number of writing job websites on my computer, and checked them often for updated listings. I applied for any jobs that seemed to fit my skills, and sent follow-up letters if I was particularly interested. The competition for jobs is stiff across the country, so I knew persistence would be vital.
Another job search trick I used was social media. Social platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook helped me to connect with writers and journalists in my field, many of whom were happy to assist me in finding employment. Not that social media actually worked for me, but the more people you know in business, the more opportunities come your way.
Finally, I would tell other job seekers to be realistic about your knowledge and abilities. Believing in yourself and projecting confidence can definitely help you land a position, but an employee who lacks the proper skills for a job quickly becomes apparent. My advice would be, if the job is worth applying for, determine if you truly have the skills necessary to do it properly. If not, get those skills before applying.
JustJobs.com is a job 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.Read more » articles by this approved business partner | Click here » if you’re a business Image from Jozsef Szasz-Fabian/Shutterstock
