NEW YEAR, NEW JOB – Make ’26 the Best Year for your Career!

While not as popular as losing weight or quitting smoking, getting a new job is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions made by people every year.

Whether you are in the market for a new job OR maybe just interested to know if a better job is out there, the New Year is a great time to review your job search activity…

 

1. REVIEW & UPDATE YOUR RESUME

Have you changed companies? Taken-on new responsibilities? Got a new title? Make sure your resume information is both current AND easily read. Make sure to update your resume wherever it may be; hardcopy, job boards, company websites and recruitment agencies.

This might also be a great to time to evaluate the format of your resume. For example, as job seekers gain experience, the trend is to move from a resume that is in a chronological format to one that is more accomplishment-based. There are a lot of good resources online for resume writing. If you aren’t getting a lot of hits on your resume, it might be time for a format change!

Pro-tip:  Recruiters tend to favor candidates with more recent dates on their profiles.  With StyleCareers.com, all you need to do is log-in to your profile and your “last-update” date will update automatically.

 

2. REVIEW, UPDATE & PRACTICE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

An “Elevator Pitch” is a concise, carefully planned and well-practiced description of the VALUE you bring to a company. The pitch should be easily understood by a layman and last 30-45 seconds; the typical time it takes to ride an elevator.

You never know when you might bump into someone who might be able to help in your job search. Make sure your Elevator Pitch is up-to-date, polished and practiced!

Pro-tip:  Use your smartphone, laptop or webcam to record your Elevator Pitch.  Record and review your pitch until you’ve made it perfect.

 

3. REVIEW & UPDATE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

With respect to social media, assume that a potential employer will see EVERYTHING you’ve ever posted and EVERYTHING that anyone else may have posted about you. Keep in mind that your social media profiles are not your only social media presence. Tagged photos of you, comments you’ve made, groups you’ve joined and events you’ve attended are likely to be available to potential employers.

 

4. CREATE A JOB SEARCH ACTIVITY LOG

Track applications, follow-up messages, contacts, etc…  The more detailed you are, the better you will be able to evaluate your search, interview and follow-up practices.

It is important to follow-up on resumes you’ve sent, interviews you’ve had and contacts you have made BUT KEEP IN MIND, no one is going to hire a stalker. Use your job search activity log to ensure that you are conducting the right amount of follow-up.

 

5. CREATE/UPDATE YOUR ONLINE PORTFOLIO

Designers, illustrators, tech designers, visual merchandisers, web merchants, marketing professionals, etc… all need to have an online portfolio; most should have more than one.  If you already have an online portfolio, now is a great time to update it with designs from the previous year.

Designers and other creatives who do not have an online portfolio should create one.  Why?  Recruiters want to see samples of your work.  More importantly, they want to see the work immediately and nothing is faster than a hyperlink.  Further, an online portfolio is a passive way to find work and/or freelance gigs.

Pro-tip:  Check out these posts from Michi Raab’s article and David Leung on creating effective fashion portfolios.

6. SET CLEAR, REALISTIC JOB TARGETS

One of the most common job search mistakes—especially in January—is applying to everything.

Instead, take time to define:

• The specific roles you’re targeting
• Product categories (e.g., women’s, accessories, beauty, kids)
• Company type (brand, retailer, wholesaler, startup)
• Location and work model (on-site, hybrid, remote)

Clarity leads to stronger resumes, better interviews, and more relevant recruiter outreach.

7. OPTIMIZE FOR ATS AND HUMAN RECRUITERS

Many resumes never reach a human because they aren’t optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Make sure your resume:

• Uses keywords from the job description
• Avoids overly designed layouts that confuse ATS software
• Is tailored for the type of role you’re applying for
• Is saved in the format requested by the employer

If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it won’t matter how qualified you are.

8. RE-ENGAGE YOUR EXISTING NETWORK

January is a referral-heavy hiring period in the fashion industry. Before applying to dozens of jobs, reconnect with people you already know.

This can include:

• Former colleagues or managers
• Recruiters you’ve worked with previously
• Industry contacts you trust

Focus on rebuilding relationships and gathering insight—not asking for favors. Fashion is a small industry, and how you show up now matters long-term.

9. PREPARE FOR FAST-MOVING INTERVIEWS

Hiring often moves quickly in the first quarter. Candidates lose opportunities simply because they’re not ready.

Be prepared to:

• Walk through your resume and portfolio confidently
• Share clear examples of your accomplishments
• Explain job changes or gaps in employment professionally
• Know your availability and compensation expectations

Preparation can be the difference between advancing—or being passed over.

10. ALIGN YOUR ENTIRE ONLINE PRESENCE

Beyond social media, employers will Google you.

Search your name and make sure your LinkedIn profile, Online portfolio, Resume and Bio descriptions all tell the same story. Remove outdated pages, old portfolios, or conflicting information that could create confusion.

11. CREATE A CONSISTENT WEEKLY JOB SEARCH ROUTINE

Successful job searches are built on consistency, not panic. Set a realistic weekly structure that includes:

• Applying to targeted roles
• Networking and follow-ups
• Portfolio or resume updates
• Skill-building or research

Treat your job search like a project—not an emergency.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A new job doesn’t come from simply wishing for change—it comes from preparation, clarity, and visibility. The early months of the year are one of the strongest hiring periods in the fashion industry, and those who prepare early have a clear advantage.

Small, intentional improvements made now can dramatically impact the opportunities that come your way in the months ahead. If “New Year, New Job” is your resolution, the best time to act isn’t later—it’s now.