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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Instant messaging at work is a powerful communication tool with big pluses and possible minuses. Sending a message is a direct intrusion into a boss or co-worker’s current project, which can be either a helpful and appreciated message, or an unwarranted distraction. Below you’ll see some of the pitfalls and rewards that come along with workplace IMing, and tips to help you excel at quick communication.
Begin with the general context to make sure the receiver knows what you are talking about. Though you may know what your message is pertaining to, you need to give enough information in the message so the reader does as well. Explain the project, refer to the earlier email, list the date of the meeting – whatever information is needed to orient the receiver to the topic you are talking about. Also, it's extremely helpful to include a link to whatever you are referring to, when necessary, and use a real example to help explain whatever it is you are messaging about. For example, link to a webpage that shows an example of what it is you want to do or need help with. With a question, make sure to copy and paste the question you are answering or the comment you are responding to. If more than one question has been asked or the question was asked some time ago in the conversation, make sure to be clear. It is also helpful to ask a question that can be answered with yes or no to save on time for both you and the recipient.
You should also copy and paste an important conversation to other people or other places. If you discussed something that involves other people, e-mail them a copy of the IM conversation. If the conversation is related to an issue documented on a wiki, forum or project management system, copy and paste the IM into that location as well. Along with that, don’t send out your words in little chunks – write your whole thought out before sending your message to the other person.
You should use IM for time sensitive communication. If you do not get a response back after an IM, assume the recipient never saw it. Try again, or try e-mail. Know the preferences of your co-workers, e-mail versus IM versus phone, and make sure to use IM only during standard work hours, unless needed for an emergency.
Make sure you turn on archiving so you don’t have to repeat yourself by asking the same question twice. Look up the answer in your logs if you can’t remember. Pidgin is a system that has this helpful capability. Remember to summarize at the end of an involved conversation so the recipient and yourself know what you have solved, what still needs to be done, and are on the same page.
By making your messages thorough yet concise, and using IM when appropriate, much more can be accomplished during the work day.
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 minifilm/Shutterstock
