You’ve seen the movie. You know the story. And you surely know you don’t want to be the Grinch who stole Christmas. This is just the case when it comes to dream job interviews this holiday season. It’s time to show your festive side and follow our holiday-inspired interview tips!

Do Your Research to Land Your Dream Job

Before your interview, make sure you do your research. Not only do you want to learn about the company and the position you’re interviewing for, but you also want to learn about the interviewer. What are their interests? What do they like to do outside of work?

When you come into your interview knowing this information, it shows that you’ve taken the time to invest in the company and that you’re interested in more than just the job itself. It also helps build a personal connection with the interviewer, which can go a long way in helping you stand out from the competition.

Dress the Part

When interviewing for a job, it’s important to dress the part. That doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a fortune on a new wardrobe, but it does mean that you should dress professionally for the occasion.

You want to ensure you present your best professional self to the interviewer, even if they can’t see you in person. That could mean, if it’s a virtual interview, dressing in comfortable clothes that still look professional. A nice blazer or cardigan can go a long way, as can a skirt or pants that are tailored to fit well. And don’t forget to wear polished shoes and a neat hairstyle!

Look for a Quiet Corner With a Clean and Professional Background

When it comes time for your interview, ensure you’re in a quiet place with a clean and professional background. This is an important first impression, and you want to ensure you’re looking your best.

If you can’t find a quiet corner in your house, don’t worry. Many of the platforms used for interviewing (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc.) have background effects that can help simulate a professional setting. Just be sure to test them out ahead of time to make sure they look good.

Don’t Bring Anyone With You to Your Dream Job Interview

You might be thinking of bringing along a plus-one to make you comfortable, but it could make you seem unprofessional. If someone gave you a ride, having them wait in the car or outside the office would be best. And if it’s someone looking for work, share their information with the interviewer/recruiter, who can contact them another time.

The same goes for virtual interviewing. Make sure family, pets, roommates, and babies give you space and privacy during your call.

Be Careful Not to Bad Mouth Your Previous Manager or Company

We get it. It feels good at the moment to vent about a situation that made you so unhappy. But trust us, it’s not worth it. Badmouthing your previous manager or company will leave a bad taste and can cost you a job offer or even another interview.

Avoid Sharing Unnecessary Details on Your Resume

Your resume is not an autobiography; avoid sharing unnecessary details that will only distract from your qualifications. Any information that doesn’t directly pertain to your ability to do the job should be left off. This includes things like your political views and religious affiliation.

Don’t Believe the Myth That Resumes Should Be One Page

If you’ve got a lot of experience or qualifications, your resume is going to be more than one page. And that’s perfectly okay! In fact, hiring managers prefer more comprehensive but contextual resumes because they can get a more well-rounded picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. So don’t be afraid to flaunt your experience—it’s one of the reasons you’re being interviewed in the first place!

Tweak Your Resume for Each Dream Job Opportunity

Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Refrain from cramming everything into your resume – focus on quality over quantity.

Rudolph Your Resume

If you want your resume to be successful, make sure it has no typos or errors. If you’re not a great speller or have trouble with grammar, run your resume through a program like Grammarly. Use the same formatting for each section. This will make your resume look clean and consistent and help recruiters quickly find the information they’re looking for.

Another tip is to use active language when describing your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for planning and executing events,” try “Successfully planned and executed events.” This small change can significantly affect how your resume is received.

More Tips to Make Your Resume Merry and Bright

When updating your resume, think about ways to make it stand out and look festive. Here are a few ideas:

  • Use a holiday-themed template or design. You can find plenty of free templates online or hire a designer to help you create a custom resume.
  • Use festive colors. Red and green are obvious choices, but you can get creative with other colors too. For example, blue and silver can give your resume a bright feel.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to go overboard with the holiday theme. Your resume should still be professional and easy to read. But a little bit of holiday cheer can’t hurt.

Find Your Dream Job Today!

Being well-prepared for an interview could make or break the job opportunity. Follow these tips and avoid the common interview red flags listed. Finally, always send a thank-you note after the interview. The holidays are all about giving, and that’s what makes you stand out as a top candidate.

Bishop & Company can help you streamline your job-seeking process. Reach out to us to learn more.