Jump start your job search with these tips.
The holidays are a tough time to be looking for a job. Many companies put off hiring until the new year, but many are accepting applications now in order to be ready when the holidays are over.
The holidays are a tough time to be looking for a job. Many companies put off hiring until the new year, but many are accepting applications now in order to be ready when the holidays are over.
It's easy to slack off on your job hunting during the holidays. There are so many distractions that it can be hard to stay focused. The important thing is to make the most of every opportunity.
Here are a few tips to help you stand out and put your search in high gear:
- Create an elevator pitch -An elevator pitch is something that sounds hard but really isn't. The idea is to come up with a 30 second speech that says who you are and what you offer. It should be something that you can include in a cover letter, say at an interview or networking event. Take the time to make your elevator pitch compelling and use it often.
- Don't isolate yourself - When you're out of work, it's really easy to feel isolated from society. Don't let this happen to you. Especially during the holidays, don't let shame about your job situation keep you from attending family gatherings and re-connecting with friends. You never know when one of these connections might give you the opening you need to find the right job.
- Follow up, follow up - If you submit an application, send in a resume or even have an interview, be sure to follow up with the company. A quick follow up call can remind the hiring manager who you are and give them a reason to look at your resume again. Of course, if you go overboard and harass them, you'll leave a negative impression, but a reasonable follow up will make you stand out.
- Write a custom cover letter every time - Every time you send in a resume, take the time to write a cover letter specifically for the job you want. Your cover letter doesn't have to be long, just three paragraphs. In it, be sure to mention who you are and what your experience is. Then, let the employer know why you are the best candidate for the job and then thank them for their time. Your cover letter should mention the key job requirements and how you measure up to them. Make it easy for the hiring manager to see that you are perfect for the job by showing them in the cover letter that your resume is worth reading.
- Stay positive -When you are looking for a job, depression is a real turn-off. Look for ways to stay positive and get excited about your search.
What do you do to rev up your job search? Do you find the holiday season distracting? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog and Beyond.com.. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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