Landing a Better Role Before the Holidays: A Candidate’s Playbook

The holiday season brings more than just festive celebrations and family gatherings. It also creates a unique window of opportunity for job seekers who want to advance their careers. While many people focus on holiday preparations, smart professionals know this time of year offers real advantages in the job market.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that seasonal hiring spikes happen across many industries during this period. Retail businesses, for example, ramp up their workforce to handle increased customer demand.¹ Other sectors also expand their teams to meet year-end goals and prepare for the new year ahead. This makes the holiday season an ideal time for you to land the better role you’ve been seeking.  

5 Ways to Secure Career Improvement 

Landing a better job before the holidays requires a strategic approach. These five proven methods will help you stand out from other candidates and move closer to your career goals before the festive season arrives.  

1. Set Your Goals and Milestones

Before you start applying for jobs, you need to know exactly what you want. Think beyond just the job title and consider what really matters to you. 

• Do you want higher pay or better benefits? 

• Does your home situation call for different work hours or a more flexible schedule? 

• Are you looking for a company with better team dynamics or clearer promotion paths? 

Also, consider the type of work environment that motivates you most. Some people thrive in fast-paced settings while others prefer steady, predictable workflows. Write down your specific goals and set realistic deadlines for each step of your job search.  

Create weekly milestones like submitting a certain number of applications or scheduling networking conversations. This clarity will help you focus on the right opportunities and avoid wasting time on roles that do not match your needs. 

Read more: Sustainable Careers for the Modern Worker 

2. Tailor Your Resume

Your resume should speak directly to each job you apply for. Generic resumes often get overlooked because they do not show how your skills match the specific role.  

Research conducted by Jobvite reports that 83 percent of recruiters are much more likely to hire candidates who customize their resumes for each position.² For you, this translates to the necessity of reading job descriptions carefully and adjusting your resume to highlight your most relevant experiences.  

Use keywords from the job posting and emphasize accomplishments that relate to what the employer needs. For example, if a job focuses on project management, highlight your experience leading teams and meeting deadlines.  

Quantify your achievements with specific numbers when possible. This extra effort takes time but makes a significant difference in getting noticed and moving to the interview stage. 

3. Always Be Interview-Ready

First impressions matter more than you might think: studies reveal that around 69 percent of hiring decisions happen within the first five minutes of an interview.³ Be prepared to make a strong impact right from the start.  

• Practice your elevator pitch until it feels natural. 

• Prepare thoughtful answers for common interview questions. 

• Research the company thoroughly and learn about their recent projects, company culture, and industry challenges.  

To prepare further, write thoughtful questions you can ask interviewers to show your genuine interest in the role. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or family members to build your confidence. Being well-prepared helps you feel confident and allows your best qualities to shine through. 

Read more: Informational Interviews for New Graduates 

4. Build and Utilize Your Professional Networks

Many of the best job opportunities never get posted online. They come through professional connections and referrals from people who know your work.  

Reach out to former colleagues, industry contacts, and people in your field. Tell them you are actively looking for new opportunities and ask if they know of any openings that might be a good fit.  

Attend industry events and job fairs, or join professional groups where you can meet new contacts face-to-face. You can also use LinkedIn and other online professional websites to reconnect with old contacts and engage with posts from people in your industry.  

Remember not just to ask for help. Instead, offer your skills to others. Build connections and genuine relationships that are mutually beneficial. This can potentially lead to the best job opportunities and insider knowledge that can be useful during your job search. 

5. Advocate for Your Values and Preferences

Don’t be afraid to discuss what matters most to you during the job search process.  

• If work-life balance is important, ask specific questions about company policies on flexible schedules, remote work options, and overtime expectations.  

• If professional development matters to you, inquire about training opportunities, mentorship programs, and clear career advancement paths.  

Be honest about your salary expectations and benefit needs early in the process. Being upfront about your preferences helps ensure you find a role where you will be happy and successful long-term. It also shows employers that you are thoughtful about your career decisions and likely to stay with the company if hired. 

Secure the right job position before the holidays. 

The holiday season is one of the busiest—and best—times to secure a role that fits your goals, and Masis Staffing is here to help you make it happen.  

With deep connections across industries and a people-first approach, we don’t just match you with a job. We partner with you to find the right opportunity where you can thrive.  

Connect with us today and let us open the door to better roles and opportunities.  

References 

1. “Retail Trade Holiday Employment Buildup and Layoff, 2017–2024.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 Sept. 2024, www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/retail-trade-holiday-employment-buildup-and-layoff-2017-2024.htm. 
2. “2022 Job Seeker Nation Report.” Jobvite, 25 Sept. 2022, www.jobvite.com/lp/2022-job-seeker-nation-report/. 
3. Nisen, Max. “Here’s How Quickly Interviewers Decide Whether or Not to Hire You.” Quartz, 21 Jul. 2022, qz.com/406976/heres-how-quickly-interviewers-decide-whether-or-not-to-hire-you.