What Church Employers Look for During the Holidays: Preparing for a Faith-Based Job in the New Year

Nothing spreads joy, inspires reflection, and calls for celebration like the Christmas season, but it’s also one of the busiest recruiting times for faith-based organizations. Churches are actively finalizing budgets and preparing for the new year, creating many open positions to address growing ministry needs. Meaning, you have a prime opportunity to finally secure a role that fulfills your calling.

However, the competition is fierce. Standing out requires more than submitting a polished resume. It demands ambitious preparations, clear alignment with organizational values, and strategic involvement to demonstrate that you’re the right fit. The intentional steps you take amidst holiday celebrations can change the trajectory of your job search.

How to Stand Out During the Holiday Recruiting Season

Holiday celebrations and your job search do not have to be at odds. Use this time to reflect, prepare, and take intentional actions that will set you apart from other candidates. Here are four tips that’ll help you stand out during the holiday job search season:

1. Define Your Personal Mission and Values

This is your essential first step in your job search no matter the season. Before pursuing a faith-based role, it’s essential to articulate your personal mission and values so that you can recognize and articulate what roles align with them. Recruiters only want team members who whole-heartedly believe in their mission.

2. Leverage Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering during the holidays can strategically build your resume with relevant experience, allowing you to quickly fill gaps that can help equip you for your dream job. Seek opportunities to serve in areas related to your desired role. For example, if you’re interested in administrative work, volunteer to help organize church events during the holidays. Practice qualities like servant-heartedness, diligence, and humility—essential strengths for future leadership roles.

3. Polish Your Application Materials

With the holidays being a busy recruiting season, your materials will have to be polished to stand out. Ensure your resume, cover letter, and online profiles reflect your faith and professional achievements in an organized, thorough way. Include special elements to make a lasting impression on recruiters. Create personalized video resumes, where you share your journey of faith and how it inspires your work ethic. Include examples of past projects, references from ministry leaders, and links to relevant work such as blogs, sermons, or social media profiles that demonstrate your skills and faith.

4. Build Relationships in the Faith Community

The Christmas season and all its festive celebrations will help you expand your network in natural, positive settings. Building new connections within your church and local faith-based organizations can open doors to promising opportunities you can’t replicate online. Attend events, introduce yourself to ministry leaders, and express your interest in future roles. Building genuine relationships now can make a lasting impression for when positions become available.

The holiday season offers a unique blend of opportunities for rest and preparation. While you may want to check out and recharge, you’ll find more success by locking in and making intentional choices. Do rest, but it’s equally important to invest time in setting yourself up for success in the new year. Use this season to reflect on your calling, build connections, and actively demonstrate your readiness to serve your next faith-based role. 

By taking intentional steps now, you’ll position yourself for a job that not only meets your professional goals but also fulfills your purpose and calling. Your dream job could find you in time for 2025.

Ready to elevate your team for success? Discover how we can help.