By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
The end of the year is approaching, what is the most worthwhile thing to do? job seeker Do? They hit the pause button. They believe the entire corporate world will stop drinking eggnog and tinsel by January 5th.
This is a huge mistake. Huge error in judgment.
I’m Jeff Altman, “The Big Game Hunter,” and I’ve spent decades recruiting and career coaching. Let me tell you straight: the holidays are no It’s time to take your foot off the gas. This is the best time to be smart and targeted job search network.
Why? Less competition, more opportunities, and a better mood.
Game suspended
Think about it. While everyone else is procrastinating and telling themselves “I’ll start over in the new year,” you have an open lane. That wave of applications is coming Recruiter and hiring manager January? You can skip it.
less applicant refers to your application Do Submissions are more likely to get noticed now. Your LinkedIn connection request is compelling. Your follow-up messages won’t be buried among a bunch of other people who have just started searching. Being proactive now will pay you huge dividends competitive advantage.
Opportunity: Easy Access
The holidays are filled with social and professional gatherings. Company parties, industry networking events, alumni events, or even casual get-togethers with friends and family—these are non-traditional social events. People are generally more relaxed, more open to conversation, and less focused on “busyness.”
You don’t want to be that person looking for a job under the mistletoe. This is a novice move that can quickly lead to disappointment. The goal is simple: Make real connections.
Here’s how to do it without being offensive or turning people off:
-
Be a person, not a promotional material: Focus on people. Ask genuinely curious questions them: “What was your biggest professional win this year?” or “What is your company most excited about for Q1?” Listen intently. This is how real relationships are built.
-
“Soft Mentions”: When they inevitably ask you what you’ve been up to, you’ll be able to transition smoothly. Don’t spread out your entire resume. Keep it short, positive and forward-looking. “I am currently exploring new opportunities in the fintech space, particularly roles where I can leverage my experience in compliance and risk mitigation. It is exciting to see how different companies respond to the challenges ahead.” Very clear and professional value proposition Delivered without despair.
-
Targeted outreach on LinkedIn: Use quiet times when many people are offline to your advantage. Contact your key people target company. Send a warm, thoughtful message rather than a form letter. Reference their recent articles, shared connections, or company milestones. Wish them all the best for the season and offer to arrange a brief meeting informational interview Early January. You position yourself as the most preferred candidate January recruitment need.
Leveraging year-end urgency and budgeting
people assume everything recruitment stop. Wrong. Companies often have year-end budget They need to spend money. If a department plays a critical role and has “use it or lose it” funding, they will accelerate recruitment Let that person come in, even if it starts on January 1st.
Don’t assume; ask. When you talk to a network, a natural question after a good conversation is, “Do you know of any teams that are gearing up for projects in the first quarter or looking to spend their final budgets before the end of the year?”
Follow-up is gold
This is where 90% of job seekers fail. They had a nice chat and then disappeared.
you need to follow up Prompt and professional.
-
24 hour rule: Send a personalized message via email or LinkedIn within 24 hours of meeting someone. Thank them for the conversation. Reference the specific content you discussed (not relevant to your job search, but relevant to them). “It’s great to hear your thoughts on the future of AI in logistics, it’s interesting.”
-
Quote value: Can you introduce them to someone? Send them relevant articles? Always look for ways to pay off debt. giving network is the only lasting type.
-
Set next step: If you discuss further contact, propose a date in the New Year. “I’d love to come back in mid-January for a 15-minute chat with your company about a new product launch. Is that okay?”
Don’t be a sheep and wait for January. The holidays are a gift to those who are smart and persistent job seeker. Be direct, prepared, and genuine. Get out there and build relationships that will land you your next great role.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2025
