January’s Here—How Are You Leveling Up?

Jan 14, 2025

The calendar’s reset, and so has the hiring market. January is one of the biggest months for job seekers. Why? New budgets. Fresh headcount. Updated targets. Companies are kicking off the year with ambitious goals and need talent to get there. So, how are you planning to make the most of it?

Here’s your playbook for turning January into a launchpad for your next big career move.

Work Your Network (the Right Way)

You’ve heard it before: networking is key. But how you approach your network can make or break your results.

Be Specific: Vague asks like, “Let me know if you hear of anything” won’t cut it. Instead, research the companies on your hit list and pinpoint open roles that excite you.
Ghostwrite Intros: If you’re asking for introductions, go the extra mile. Draft a short, polished intro your contact can copy-paste. The easier you make it for someone to help you, the more likely they will.

Refine Your Target List

It’s not enough to “just apply.” Strategic job searching starts with clarity.

Research Companies: Which AI/tech firms are growing fast? Who’s hiring for BD roles? Which ones have had recent equity rounds? Add these to your hit list.
Align Your Skills: What are the top three skills those roles demand? Make sure your LinkedIn profile scerams “perfect fit.”
Leverage Industry Trends: AI is moving fast. Can you identify companies solving high-impact problems or pushing the envelope in innovation? Those are the firms worth pursuing.

Get Recruiters on Your Team

Reliable recruiters are career multipliers. January and February are prime months for leveraging their insights.

Identify the Best Recruiters: Reach out to those specializing in BD or AI/tech placements. LinkedIn is a great place to start.
- What roles are they seeing open up? What trends are driving hiring decisions? Position yourself as their ideal candidate.
Stay Tuned: I’ll dive deeper into working with recruiters in an upcoming post. But for now, focus on building those connections.

Stop Overthinking the “Holiday Hangover”

You might be tempted to think, People are too busy catching up from the holidays to pay attention to me.

They probably are busy—but so what? You’ve got a career to change, and January’s opportunities won’t wait. The most lucrative roles don’t land themselves, and employers with urgent hiring needs aren’t hitting the snooze button.

Action Over Perfection

Don’t let analysis paralysis hold you back. Your strategy doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be in motion. Tweak and improve as you go, but start now.

Use January’s momentum to your advantage. If you’re proactive, focused, and strategic, you’ll position yourself to land a career-defining role this year.

What’s your top career goal for this month? Drop me a comment or DM—I’d love to hear your story. And stay tuned for more tips on making 2025 your year for breaking into AI/tech BD.