With family flying in, cookies in the oven and mistletoe to hang, the hustle and bustle of the holidays make it quite difficult to get anything done. But don’t let this discourage you from acing your job hunt. Check out these job opportunities and tips on how to get your foot in the door.
Gather Leads from Family Members
Maybe hiring managers and recruiters have left their out-of-office messages on throughout the bulk of the holidays, but that doesn’t mean your opportunities are doomed. At your next family gathering, ask relatives and friends if their companies have open positions and what they are. Then, offer your interest. If you land an interview, you already have a quality job reference ready to go!
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Spread Cheer and Volunteer
Volunteer shelters can use extra help during the holidays. Offer some of your time to a shelter, show you’re a dedicated worker and ask if any positions are open after the holidays. Plus, volunteering is good for your health. According to Harvard Health Publications, performing volunteer work can help otherwise sedentary people get up and moving; it also can reduce stress. That’s not a bad boost to have during a time full of winter comfort food!
Attend Networking and Holiday Parties
Ask a friend if you can join their company holiday party and use it as a networking opportunity. Do some research on the company beforehand. When the day of the event arrives, take your business cards just in case, casually mention you’re interested in working there, inquire about employees’ jobs and then listen to everything they say.
In case the question were to pop up during your networking, have a 30-second elevator pitch prepared. But, don’t forget to be casual when asking about work during a holiday party considering generally they’re not meant for business. If you’re not overly persistent, someone could have just enough holiday cheer in them to find an opportunity for you.
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Send Holiday Cards
If recently you’ve applied to a couple places and haven’t heard anything back from a recruiter or hiring manager, take time to send them a thank-you note or holiday card. Re-introduce yourself, explain the job you applied for and thank them for their time in reviewing your credentials. Keep it simple; you don’t want to look desperate or crazy.
If you’ve applied for a position with a digitally savvy company, send an e-card so that you’re catering to your audience. According to Bonnie Zaben, COO of AC Lion, a digital media recruiting firm, it doesn’t matter whichever medium you choose when sending a thank-you, just make sure you are specific to the position with the messaging.
Even if you don’t hear anything after sending a note, it’s a great networking tactic that could set you apart from other applicants. If you do get a response, be prepared for the interview with these questions.
The holidays can make it tough to make real progress toward landing a great job. However, if you are gentle with your outreach, listen carefully to the hiring managers and recruiters who you’d like to get an “in” with and look in unique areas for opportunities, your chances could be better than you think.
