Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson
While the holiday season might seem like a slow time to search for a job, staying motivated could give you an advantage over others that might be putting a hold on their job search due to preoccupation with family gatherings and holiday cheer. This can result in less applications for non seasonal work and opportunity for you to get noticed by potential employers seeking full time employees for the coming year.
Many employees will take time off during the holidays leaving the hiring managers to fill in. This allows managers to be more available to do interviews for the coming year. This can give you an edge over competition in landing an interview. Submitting your application information first puts you first in line.
The end of the year could be the best time of year to land a job. Here are a few tips to help you stand out…
*Call and ask if you can drop off your resume instead of using email or mail
*Be professional, do not use holiday gimmicks on your resume or cover letter
*Follow up on previous applications by phone or in person
*Dress professional when applying or following up in person, not seasonal
*Holiday season is short so apply for as many non seasonal jobs as you can
Attempting to apply in person can be acceptable during holiday and end of year periods by making a phone call. You may get the hiring manager during this down time and they usually are using this time to catch up and prepare for the coming year. This could be an advantage that could land you an interview.
Never use holiday gimmicks on your resume or cover letter. Present yourself professionally so that you are taken seriously by the person in charge. First impressions are very important at all times of the year. You will stand out during holiday time by being professional and persistent.
Follow up on previous applications in person if possible or by phoning the company. They may not have had interviews yet and this could move your application to the top of the list, especially if the hiring manager happens to be in. You could get an interview on the spot.
Dress professional not seasonal when applying or following up in person. One holiday jewelry item would be acceptable but not clothing or hair dressings. You want to stand out, not the holiday. Present yourself seriously so that your application will be taken seriously.
The holiday season is short so take advantage of the slow time and apply for as many non seasonal jobs as you can. This will give you a jump start on your job search in the coming year. It may seem like there are less job postings during this time of year but actually the seasonal job postings have now been removed.
Stay motivated and keep searching and take advantage of any opportunity that you have to stand out from other applicants during the holiday season. Remember, you will move one step closer to landing a job each time some one else puts their job search on hold for the holiday and does not apply.
