If you want to feel ready—not rushed—when hiring season kicks off, having a clear job search strategy is non-negotiable. And before we dive in, let me tell you a quick story about Christmas music (yes, stay with me — I promise it’ll make sense for your career).

A long time ago — not before the dinosaur age, but right after Papa Noel graced the earth — a council of elves did indeed gather and create the sacred “No Holiday Music Before Thanksgiving” decree. And I stand by this as firmly as I stand by everything I shared in How to Manage a Job Search.

And if you can hold a hard line about when Boyz II Men Christmas hits can play? Then you can hold the same line about your career — especially your job search strategy when you know something isn’t working anymore.

Let’s get into it.

Why You Need a Job Search Strategy Before January

As a result of all of this, January is one of the biggest hiring surges of the entire year. After all, recruiters return from break refreshed, departments are refueled, budgets reset, and posting for new roles begins — fast.

Here’s what I know after coaching hundreds of ambitious women: Most importantly, most people don’t realize they need a new job until the moment they’re already burned out. And by the time the burnout has peaked, they don’t have the resume, LinkedIn, or mental clarity to move quickly.

That’s why a proactive job search strategy matters.

It’s the difference between:
❌ applying late, reacting to whatever comes up, and settling
vs.
✔️ applying early, choosing roles that actually align with your life, and landing interviews sooner

Ultimately, if you want a flexible, better-paying role in 2025, your job search strategy starts right now.

The Surprising Holiday Rule That Applies to Your Career

Now you might be thinking:
Jane… how does holiday music tie into a job search strategy?

Simple: if you can be fiercely loyal to the belief that “no Christmas music can play before Thanksgiving,” then you can be just as fiercely loyal to the belief that:

You deserve a career that doesn’t drain you. In addition, you deserve flexibility.
You deserve to feel proud of the work you do and the life you get to live after 5pm.

Let’s talk about the signs it’s time to pivot — and how to do it strategically.

7 Signs It’s Time to Make a Job Change

If you’re nodding through this list, it might be time to rethink your current role and strengthen your job search strategy for the new year:

1. You have Sunday Scaries → Wednesday Scaries → Everyday Scaries

This is not a normal part of adulthood.

2. You’ve outgrown the role

Doing manager-level work on a coordinator salary? You already know.

3. Your boss thinks burnout is a compliment

“You’re so good at doing more with less”
= one of the biggest red flags of 2025.

4. Your work is consuming your real life

Your 5–9 should not feel like recovery from your 9–5.

5. You’re scrolling job postings nightly

If you’re stalking jobs like these, your subconscious is telling you something.

6. You don’t see a future that actually excites you

If there’s no vision, there’s no reason to stay.

7. You’re not being recognized or paid appropriately

Raises and promotions should not feel like folklore.

If any of these feel too close to home, this post on Why You’re Not Getting Interviews will hit home — and help you strengthen your job search strategy immediately.

A Job Search Strategy That Works (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the exact process I take my private coaching clients through when we build their job search strategy:

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1. Audit your year (honestly).

List what worked, what drained you, and what no longer aligns with who you’re becoming.

2. Update your resume now — not in a panic.

Start with your wins, achievements, and results.
If you need help, my blog on How to Refresh Your Resume is a great place to begin.

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3. Rewrite your LinkedIn for where you’re going

This is crucial. Your LinkedIn should reflect your next chapter, not the old one you’re leaving behind.

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4. Identify your non-negotiables

Pay. Flexibility. Boundaries. Growth.
Your job search strategy should support your real life, not sabotage it. Check out this blog where I discuss how to!

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5. Save roles you like — even if you’re not ready to apply

The patterns show you what you actually want.

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6. Prep for January interviews now

Recruiters begin scheduling early. Don’t wait.

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7. Build a support system

A good job search strategy shouldn’t happen in isolation.
If you want guidance, my 1:1 Private Coaching is designed exactly for this.

It’s Time to Build Your Job Search Strategy for 2025

If you’re even thinking about switching jobs next year…you should be preparing now.

Your future self will thank you when January hits and you’re not scrambling.

Here’s what you should line up:
✔ updated resume
✔ refreshed LinkedIn
✔ clear non-negotiables
✔ a strategy aligned to your life season
✔ and a support system that knows what they’re doing

And if you don’t want to do this alone?

My January discovery call calendar is officially open.

You can book a spot right here.

We’ll talk through what isn’t working, what you want next, and how my coaching can help you land a flexible, better-paying role that gives you your life back.

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Career And… Performance Review Season

If it’s also 360 season then it’s also raise season. And if you want to advocate for yourself in the new year, here’s how:

Step 1 — Search your name in your email

Gather every compliment, thank-you, and “you saved this project” message.

Step 2 — Document your wins with impact

Use:
• What you did
• Why it mattered
• What happened because of it

Step 3 — Align your wins to company goals

Step 4 — Decide what you want next year

Step 5 — Bring receipts

Screenshots, metrics, deliverables — all of it.

If you want help building your performance review narrative or aligning it to your job search strategy, my resume + LinkedIn intensive is built exactly for this.

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Your Career Deserves Intention

Your job search strategy is the difference between staying stuck and stepping into a role you genuinely love.

Whether you want more money, more flexibility, more respect, or more joy — your next chapter deserves a plan.

And you don’t have to do this alone.

→ Book your discovery call for January
Let’s build your next move with intention, strategy, and confidence.