Holiday Job Hunting | Tips For Sleighing Your End Of Year Career Search

When we think of the holiday season in terms of job searching, we tend to slow down our efforts, maybe even putting the hunt on hold with plans to kick off the new year with a fresh start.

However, Goodwill’s Manager of Mission Advancement, Mayra Rios, advises that this may be your opportunity to get ahead of the competition. “Don’t pause your job search during the holiday season,” says Rios. “Lots of people do, so you’ll have a better chance of your application being reviewed first.”

Rios offers the following tips for keeping your end-of-year job hunt momentum rolling:

Update your resume & professional profile on LinkedIn

Now is the time to make sure your resume and LinkedIn are up to date. Don’t forget any other professional profiles on other career sites! “Make sure to tailor your resume to each job you apply for,” says Rios. Don’t use the same blanket resume. Each position will have unique qualifications, so adjust what experience you highlight to match the listed job requirements. 

In addition, make sure your resume is easy to skim through. Use clear headings, bullet points, and keywords relevant to the position. “They should be able to pick up the most important highlights in about 6 seconds,” says Rios. Recruiters typically only glance through a resume the first time they see it to screen out any applicants who don’t fit the bill. Those who make the cut will be reviewed more carefully the second time around.

She also advises staying active on LinkedIn during the holiday season. “Recruiters source heavily from it during the start of the year,” she says. “This is the perfect time to share any career reflections and accomplishments you’ve had in the past year.”

Focus on building your network & rekindling existing connections

“Holiday check-ins feel natural,” says Rios. “The end of the year is one of the best times for networking because people are more open and receptive to connecting.” Try reaching out to former coworkers, recruiters, or current employees at a company you’re interested in applying to. These personal connections give you more visibility. Plus, having someone to vouch for you can really set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool.

The numbers don’t lie: employee referrals are four times more likely to be hired than applicants who only apply through job boards. They can also make for a faster, smoother hiring process.

Prepare your professional pitch for interviews & chance encounters

We’re all familiar with the dreaded “tell me about yourself” question, and there’s nothing worse than being caught off guard and fumbling to come up with a relevant answer. Rios suggests prepping a reply ahead of time. “Highlight what you’re working toward, and what value you’ll bring to the role and the team going into the new year,” she says, adding that “a strong elevator pitch also helps a lot.” You never know when you might run into someone hiring for your skillset. If an opportunity presents itself, be ready to sell yourself!

Take time to upgrade your skillset during the holiday slowdown

Nothing looks better on a resume than a demonstration of willingness to learn. <b>It shows you’re committed to continuous professional development, whether that’s brushing up on an existing skill set or developing a new one. This is even more important if you’re looking to make a career change, because it shows you’re already making an effort to learn the skills you’ll need. “Upskilling and showing fresh learning on a resume is always a plus,” says Rios.

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