February 2025

We are kicking off the year by bringing fresh insights into recruiting and networking. Whether you're a job seeker looking for a new opportunity or a company navigating the evolving hiring landscape, staying informed is key.

This month, we’re sharing how you can update your resume to stand out in the competitive job market and explore modern ways to network. We’ll also dive into the latest changes in recruiting and how they’re shaping how companies hire.

 Get ahead with insights designed to help you manage today’s job market. Let’s make this month the first step for a successful year!

Building a Strong Professional Network: Beyond Business Cards and Small Talk

For many professionals, networking feels like an awkward necessity, filled with forced smiles, elevator pitches, and meaningless business card exchanges. But in reality, networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about cultivating relationships that can provide long-term value.

With the job market becoming increasingly competitive and AI filtering out applications before they even reach human eyes, who you know matters more than ever. Studies show that most jobs are landed through connections rather than online applications. That’s why investing in a strong and authentic professional network is crucial—not just when you’re job hunting but throughout your career.

So, how do you build meaningful connections that feel natural rather than transactional? Let’s explore this question.

Networking Is About Relationships, Not Transactions

Forget the outdated notion that networking is just about advancing your career. The most successful professionals approach networking with genuine curiosity and mutual value in mind. Instead of focusing on what others can do for you, think about what you can learn from them and how you can contribute to the conversation.

Strong networks aren’t built overnight. They result from ongoing interactions, shared experiences, and mutual trust. So, rather than treating networking as a one-time event, view it as an ongoing relationship-building process.

The Best Time to Network? Before You Need It

A common mistake people make is only reaching out when they’re actively searching for a job. But networking is far more effective when it’s built consistently over time, not just in moments of urgency.

If you wait until you need help, your outreach can be self-serving. Instead, nurture your network regularly. Stay in touch with former colleagues, engage in professional communities, and check in with mentors or peers without an agenda. That way, when an opportunity does arise, your network is already strong and ready to support you.

Leverage Conversations for Insight, Not Just Job Leads

Networking isn’t just about asking for job referrals—it’s about gaining insights, guidance, and mentorship. Some of the most valuable career shifts happen because of a well-timed conversation, not an application.

When you connect with someone, ask about their career path, challenges they’ve faced, or trends they’re noticing in the industry. These conversations can spark ideas, uncover hidden opportunities, and help you refine your own career goals.

And don’t be afraid to ask for introductions. Often, your next opportunity isn’t directly within your current network but just one or two connections away.

Be Strategic About Who You Connect With

Quality always trumps quantity. Networking isn’t about accumulating hundreds of LinkedIn connections but about building relevant and meaningful relationships.

If you have a specific career goal in mind, identify people who can offer insight into that path. Instead of sending generic connection requests, personalize your outreach. Mention why you admire their work, reference something specific you have in common, and express your genuine interest in learning from them.

Similarly, if there’s a company you’re interested in, connect with people who work there. Even if no job is currently available, an informational conversation could put you on their radar for future openings.

Overcoming the Fear of Networking

Many professionals avoid networking because they feel like they’re imposing on others. But the truth is, most successful people didn’t get where they are alone—they had mentors, advocates, and peers who helped along the way.

To make networking feel more natural:

· Start with people you already know—former colleagues, classmates, or mutual acquaintances. · Set a small goal, like reaching out to one new person per month. · Frame networking as a learning opportunity rather than a job-seeking activity. · Be prepared with interesting questions and insights so conversations feel engaging, not forced.

Networking Is an Investment in Your Future

The connections you build today can shape your career for years to come. A strong network can lead to mentorship, collaborations, industry insights, and unexpected job opportunities.

By approaching networking with authenticity, investing in relationships over time, and offering value to others, you’ll create a professional circle that supports your career growth and enriches your entire professional journey.

So next time you hesitate to reach out, remember this: Networking isn’t about asking for favors. It’s about building relationships that create opportunities—for you and for others.

How to Make Your Résumé Stand Out in 2025’s Tough Job Market

If landing a new job is at the top of your goals for 2025, the current hiring landscape presents some challenges. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average job search now takes about six months—longer than it did during the post-pandemic hiring surge of early 2023. With over seven million unemployed Americans, including 1.6 million who have been searching for more than six months, competition is fierce.

While a résumé alone won’t land you a job, it remains a crucial tool for grabbing attention—whether from an automated tracking system or a hiring manager. Career experts at Korn Ferry suggest a few key tweaks to optimize your résumé for success.

1. Make Your Résumé Keyword-Rich and Impact-Driven

A strong résumé aligns with the job you’re targeting. Instead of listing generic responsibilities, identify key skills and values employers seek. A simple way to do this is by analyzing job postings for your desired role and incorporating relevant keywords throughout your résumé.

But don’t stop at keywords—demonstrate your impact in each role. Rather than stating, “Managed social media accounts,” reframe it as, “Increased engagement by 40% through targeted content strategies.” Hiring managers want to see measurable achievements, not just job duties.

2. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

In a competitive job market, applying to every available position isn’t the best strategy. Career coaches advise job seekers to select roles that align with their skills, values, and salary expectations. Casting a wide net can lead to wasted effort on roles that aren’t the right fit.

Similarly, résumés should be tailored to specific roles rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re an IT professional transitioning to project management, your résumé should emphasize leadership, budgeting, and team collaboration rather than deep technical skills.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate your contributions. Hiring managers and recruiters are scanning quickly, so clear metrics make your impact stand out. If you don’t have hard data, explain the significance of your work—whether it improved efficiency, enhanced customer experience, or supported a company initiative.

For example:

· Before: “Led customer service improvements.” · After: “Reduced customer complaints by 25% and increased satisfaction scores by 15% through process enhancements.”

4. Prioritize Relevance Over Length

The myth that a résumé must fit on one page doesn’t always hold true. While brevity is key, most applicant tracking systems (ATS) can handle two-page résumés. The focus should be on relevance—highlighting experience that aligns with your target job.

If a past role doesn’t directly relate, consider omitting it or summarizing it briefly. Additionally, experience from over a decade ago should only be included if it remains highly relevant to your career path.

5. Tell a Compelling Story

While a résumé should be optimized for ATS software, its ultimate goal is to land you an interview. The best résumés tell a story, showing what you’ve done and your potential as a team member and leader.

Your résumé should intrigue hiring managers and position you as someone who brings value and fits within the company culture.

Final Thoughts

2025’s job market requires more than just submitting a standard résumé and hoping for the best. By strategically crafting your document to emphasize impact, relevance, and storytelling, you’ll increase your chances of standing out—even in a competitive landscape. 

Ready to refresh your résumé? Start with these tweaks and put yourself ahead of the competition.

Employees Priorities Shifting Away From Salaries

The employment sector of businesses has undergone a new shift in recent years, with work-life balance emerging as a higher priority for employees than their compensation. For 83% of 26,000 workers surveyed across 35 countries, work-life balance has been ranked the highest priority in their jobs. Work-life balance is growing in value compared to employee salary, becoming a stronger priority for workers.

Why Have Priorities Shifted?

In recent years, the priority for employees has shifted to rank flexible working ahead of their compensation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many employees were forced to reevaluate their working conditions and expectations. By spending time in their bedrooms or living rooms to work, they grew more accustomed to hybrid working. Furthermore, the addition of the newer generation of employees, Gen-Z, has increased the demand for a more balanced work-life dynamic. Compared to the 68% of surveyed Gen-Z workers who said they prioritized their salary, 74% stated their work-life balance was of higher importance.

Other Factors Receiving More Priority

In addition to work-life balance, workers are beginning to give more importance to other factors that contribute to a positive workplace over their salary. Employees look for good working conditions and a strong sense of community in the workplace. 36% of respondents wouldn’t mind earning less money in exchange for having friends at work. This emphasis on community significantly impacts productivity, as 85% believe they perform better on the job when they feel a sense of belonging with their colleagues. Many employees decide to act if their expectations aren’t met at work, even quitting their jobs, with 44% leaving because they believe the workplace is toxic and 31% leaving when they didn’t receive enough flexible work.

Organizations must adapt to remain competitive and retain talent as employees change their priorities to a better work-life balance and a sense of community. To do so, companies can implement more flexible working options and develop inclusive workspaces. With these changes, businesses can maintain employee satisfaction and improve the overall productivity of their work.

We want to know!

What's most important to you when considering new job opportunities?

The New Approach to Recruiting

Since the pandemic, recruiting has seen many transformations and trends in response to the job market. This has left companies strategizing new methods to attract, assess, and hire top talent in an increasingly competitive market. While traditional recruitment methods continue to be used, companies that embrace innovation can secure quality candidates. To reinvigorate your recruiting process, think about these tips:

Leverage Artificial Intelligence

While AI isn’t anything new this year, it’s developing rapidly and is changing how companies find and interact with candidates. Now, chatbots can streamline hiring by conducting initial screenings, answering candidate questions, and scheduling interviews. Additionally, algorithms can analyze multiple resumes to match job seekers with relevant roles or determine if an applicant is a viable option for an opening. This not only reduces the strain on staff completing this manually but also reduces hiring time.

Utilize Alternative Job Boards

Instead of relying solely on popular job platforms, you can benefit from posting openings on industry-specific job boards that target specific talent pools or lesser-known job boards, like Dice or TrueUp. This enables you to connect better with candidates with the needed skills or experience and helps control the number of applicants applying.

Host Recruitment Events

Connect with candidates beyond their resumes and consider hosting an event like a hackathon, after-work networking, or a workshop. This provides an opportunity for recruiters to interact with potential applicants and for interested applicants to meet their potential team in an engaging environment. Additionally, this is a great way to showcase company culture and glimpse how a candidate would collaborate if hired.

Evaluate Company Positioning

Positioning your company in the market is key to appealing to applicants and differentiating from the competition. To properly position your company, partner with the marketing department to find, attract, and engage talent. Since marketing raises brand awareness, drives engagement, and helps convert leads, recruiting can apply similar practices to find the best talent and culture fit for their company.

As recruitment evolves, companies must adopt innovative strategies to stay ahead, continually appeal to top talent, and retain current employees. As competition for skilled professionals intensifies, employing modern techniques will be vital for success and growth.