Month: December 2013

5 Reasons to Continue Your Job Search over the Holidays

The holidays are upon us! Your focus is shifting on festivities and you may plan to halt your job search until the New Year, but believe it or not the holiday season is one of the best times of the year to actively search for a job. Here’s why:

 

  1. You have more time. Work always seems to slow down during the holidays. If you are still working take this time to schedule interviews during your lunch hour or take off a few hours early to meet a hiring manager.
  2. There is less competition. Hiring managers report receiving significantly fewer applications during the holiday season. This is the ideal time to submit your resume. With less competition, your chances of receiving an interview increase.
  3. Networking opportunities increase. What is a holiday season without holiday parties? Company and association holiday parties serve as an excellent opportunity to network. Take advantage of the opportunity to make new contacts and deliver your Value Proposition.
  4. Companies rush to hire. Most companies begin reviewing the current year’s budget in November and forecasting next year’s needs. If there is a surplus of money in the current budget, a company may rush to hire someone before the end of the year. Similarly, companies may realize an immediate need for an employee with a start date of early January.
  5. People are happier. The holiday season is the perfect time to ask for advice from others, as people are generally in good spirits.

 

While the holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends, do not abandon your job search. You can be missing out on some of the best opportunities of the year!

How One Paragraph Can Help You Land a Job

Today’s job market is extremely competitive and requires applicants to stand out. This may sound difficult, but the truth is a single paragraph can help set you apart from the competition and land you your next job.   What is a Value Proposition?   Your Value Proposition is a short, descriptive paragraph about yourself that contains five value messages that you want to convey to prospective employers. The Value Proposition is your best effort to market yourself; it is your career brand. The Value Proposition answers the questions:

  • Who are you?
  • What are you good at?
  • Why will you add value?

  Example: My name is John Doe and my value consists of strategic planning, customer service, and quality assurance. I offer 15 years of leadership and sales experience in the private sector. In addition, I supervised up to 80 personnel geographically dispersed among 13 states and three territories. Traveled extensively, domestically and internationally, in support of company requirements. Managed accounts valued at $45M. Career is supported by a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and numerous professional development courses sponsored by ABC, a Fortune 3 company.   When should you use your Value Proposition?   Using your Value Proposition as a personal branding tool will help you excel in an active job search. You should use your Value Proposition when you are:

  • Networking — You will find it much easier to make connections when you can briefly and effectively communicate your value to the workforce.
  • Writing your resume — Use your Value Proposition (in third person) in the “Summary of Qualifications” section of your resume to give employers a quick snapshot of the value you bring to their company.
  • Interviewing — Most employers ask the standard question, “Why don’t you tell us about yourself?” Your Value Proposition is a great answer.

  How can your Value Proposition help you land a job?   Writing your Value Proposition forces you to honestly evaluate your knowledge, skills, and abilities so that you can summarize your best attributes in a short and easily remembered format. It helps you understand your professional value, develop your resume, engage in meaningful conversations during networking, and control what interviewers remember most about you. Most importantly, your Value Proposition differentiates you from the competition.