What should resumes look like in 2025?

Resumes in 2025 should be clean, scannable, and optimized for both ATS systems and quick human review. Use standard fonts, simple layouts, and clear section headings. Avoid headshots or creative layouts that might confuse parsing software.

What is the new CV format for 2025?

The most effective CV format for 2025 remains the reverse-chronological structure with quantified achievements, a professional summary, and clean design. The key difference is increased emphasis on ATS compatibility and results-oriented content.

Do recruiters still care about resume design?

Yes, but not in the way you think. Recruiters prefer clean, professional design over elaborate graphics. The focus should be on content clarity and visual structure, not on flair. Avoid designs that confuse ATS systems or distract from achievements.

Why the Holiday Season is the Perfect Time to Network

Networking during the holiday season is one of the most overlooked strategies for career growth, job searching, and long-term opportunity building. While many professionals slow down at the end of the year, those who continue networking often face less competition, warmer conversations, and stronger follow-through in the new year.

If you approach it correctly, holiday networking can set you up for interviews, referrals, and six-figure opportunities long before January hiring ramps up.

Why the Holiday Season is a Networking Goldmine

1- People Are in a Festive Mood

The holidays put people in a more relaxed, open state of mind. This time of year is known for generosity, friendliness, and reconnecting, making it easier to reach out and make genuine connections without coming across as overly transactional.

2- Natural Opportunities to Meet People

From holiday parties to end-of-year gatherings, there are plenty of events where you can meet new people or reconnect with existing contacts. Many people also attend year-end conferences, trade shows, and company parties, giving you a great opportunity to network with people you may not normally have access to.

3- Reflecting on the Year and Setting New Goals

Many professionals use the holiday season as a time to reflect on the past year and think about future goals. This creates a window to discuss career aspirations and share advice. People are often more receptive to helping others as they also look for ways to enrich their own lives.

4- Less Competition

Since some people wind down their networking efforts during the holidays, there’s often less competition for the attention of industry leaders and decision-makers. This makes your outreach more likely to stand out and get a response.

5- Perfect Time to Follow Up

If you’ve been meaning to follow up with someone you met earlier in the year or rekindle an old connection, the holidays provide an organic reason to reach out. You can wish them happy holidays, share a holiday greeting, or send a quick update, which keeps you fresh in their minds going into the new year.

Holiday Events Create Built-In Networking Opportunities

From company parties to year-end conferences and virtual events, the holidays create natural environments for networking.

These settings allow you to:

Reconnect with past colleagues
Meet new decision-makers
Have informal conversations that don’t happen in formal interviews

Networking in these spaces often leads to follow-up conversations in January.

Less Competition Makes Networking More Effective

While others pause outreach, your networking messages face less noise. Fewer emails, fewer LinkedIn messages, and fewer meeting requests mean your follow-ups are more likely to be read and answered.

Consistency during this period creates momentum.

Holiday Networking Best Practices That Actually Work

Be Authentic and Warm

During the holidays, focus on building genuine relationships. Reach out with a warm holiday greeting and express a sincere interest in the other person’s well-being and year-end reflections. Avoid going straight into business discussions; instead, allow the conversation to flow naturally.

Use Holiday Events to Connect

Make the most of any in-person or virtual holiday events. Introduce yourself with confidence, engage in conversations, and follow up promptly afterward. Bringing a small gift, holiday card, or even a personalized email as a follow-up is a thoughtful gesture that reinforces your connection.

Send a Personalized Holiday Greeting

Rather than sending a generic holiday message, personalize your greetings based on past interactions or mutual interests. Whether it’s a handwritten note or a thoughtful email, let them know you’re thinking of them specifically and reference something you discussed previously to show you value their connection.

Follow Up Early in the New Year

After making those initial holiday season connections, follow up in early January when people return to work. Mention a key takeaway from your holiday chat or something they shared with you. This continuation helps cement the connection as you both dive into the new year.

Offer Help and Look for Ways to Collaborate

Instead of focusing solely on what you want to gain from a relationship, think about how you can add value. Offer your assistance, whether that’s by introducing them to a colleague, sharing a resource, or suggesting a potential collaboration. This approach is especially effective during the holidays, when goodwill is at an all-time high.

Leverage LinkedIn

Holiday posts are popular on LinkedIn, making it the perfect time to share a reflective post, express gratitude for your network, or share career goals for the coming year. Engaging with others’ posts by commenting, sharing, or congratulating them on achievements helps strengthen your online presence and keeps you visible.

About Career Coach and Author

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Harders. I’m a former recruiter turned career strategist who has spent years on the other side of the hiring table. I’ve seen thousands of resumes and cover letters, some great, most forgettable. Now, I help professionals craft applications that actually stand out and lead to interviews.
My specialty? Helping ambitious professionals land six-figure roles at Fortune 500 companies. Whether it’s fine-tuning a resume, optimizing a LinkedIn profile, practicing for an interview, or crafting a powerful cover letter, I make sure my clients present themselves as the best possible candidate for the job they want.
If you’re tired of sending applications into the void, book a free career strategy session.

FAQs About Networking

Absolutely. Networking is most effective before you need it. Building relationships early creates options later.
Ideally within one to two weeks, and again in early January when people return to work.
Being transactional. Strong networking focuses on relationships, not immediate results.

Final Thoughts

Networking during the holiday season isn’t about pushing your agenda. It’s about building real connections at a time when people are more open, reflective, and generous. When done thoughtfully, holiday networking creates momentum that carries into the new year and opens doors that online applications never will. If you want a stronger career pipeline, intentional networking during the holidays is one of the smartest moves you can make.