Key Highlights
- December is the easiest month of the year to network naturally. People are more open, reflective, and approachable during the holiday season, making outreach feel warm instead of transactional. A simple “happy holidays” message goes much further in December than at other times of the year.
- Small, human touchpoints build stronger professional relationships. Micro-interactions (reacting to a post, sending a quick greeting, sharing an article) warm your network without pressure. Paired with strong active listening skills, they create genuine connection.
- The holidays are the perfect time to reconnect with dormant contacts. December offers a built-in, non-awkward reason to reach out to people you haven’t spoken to in a while. This is especially powerful for tapping into “weak ties,” which research shows often lead to the most job and career opportunities.
- January follow-up is where the real opportunity happens. A gentle follow-up referencing your December message can lead to coffee chats, referrals, mentorship conversations, or job opportunities. January is a high-activity hiring month — timing is everything.
- Networking works best when it’s generous and reciprocal. Offering help (an intro, an article, a job posting, or thoughtful encouragement) builds trust and positions you as someone people want to support in return.
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Your Holiday Networking Playbook
The holiday season is the one time of year when reaching out feels human. People are slower, softer, and a little more open to connection. And if you’re job searching, contracting, or thinking about your next career move, December offers something rare: an easy, authentic chance to reconnect without the pressure of “networking.”
This isn’t about sending 200 generic LinkedIn messages. It’s about real conversations, meaningful touchpoints, and planting seeds that naturally grow in the New Year.
Here’s your Holiday Networking Playbook — warm, Canadian, practical, and zero cringe.
Why December is the Best Time for “Non-Networking” Networking
Contrary to the myth, hiring doesn’t stop in December.
Companies still interview. Offers still go out. And many leaders are finalizing their January talent needs.
But the real magic of the season?
People are more approachable.
They’re reflecting on the year, feeling nostalgic, or simply slowing down between deadlines. A short message that would feel random in March feels thoughtful in December – especially when people are in a “don’t-be-a-Grinch” mindset and a bit more open to connection.
This is your moment to reach out — naturally.
Start With Small, Human Touchpoints
Not every touchpoint needs to be a job ask. In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Try:
- Reacting to a post
- Sending a quick “happy holidays” message
- Sharing a link you know they’d appreciate
- Congratulating them on a recent accomplishment
Micro-interactions warm the connection without asking for anything. And when you do get into a conversation, online or in person, strong listening skills make all the difference.
If you want to strengthen your ability to build trust quickly (especially during holiday catch-ups), check out our blog on why active listening is an essential soft skill.
Message Script: Low-Stakes December Reconnect
Subject: Happy Holidays & Quick Hello
Hi [Name],
Hope you’re winding down and getting a well-deserved break! I was thinking about people I’ve enjoyed working with, and you immediately came to mind. No agenda — just wishing you a great holiday season.
– [Your Name]
Simple. Genuine. Opens the door.
Reconnecting With Someone You Haven’t Spoken to in a While
This is where December truly shines.
You don’t need an excuse; the season is the excuse. People are more forgiving, more open, and more reflective this time of year.
Message Script: “It’s Been a While”
Hi [Name],
It’s been a minute! I’ve been reflecting on the year, and I realized it’s been far too long since we connected. I’d love to catch up sometime in the New Year if you’re open to it.
Hope you have a warm and restful holiday season.
– [Your Name] No pressure. No ask. Just reconnection.
If You’re Job Seeking: How to Make Holiday Outreach Feel Natural
Keep it human-first, opportunity-second.
Message Script: “It’s Been a While”
Hi [Name],
It’s been a minute! I’ve been reflecting on the year, and I realized it’s been far too long since we connected. I’d love to catch up sometime in the New Year if you’re open to it.
Hope you have a warm and restful holiday season.
– [Your Name]
No pressure. No ask. Just reconnection.
If You’re Job Seeking: How to Make Holiday Outreach Feel Natural
Keep it human-first, opportunity-second.
Message Script: Warm, Light Job-Search Update
Hi [Name],
Hope the holiday season is treating you well! I’m doing a little planning for 2026 and exploring new roles in [your field]. If you hear of anything in the New Year that might be a fit, I’d appreciate being kept in mind.
Wishing you a fantastic holiday!
– [Your Name]
This approach signals interest without sounding urgent or transactional.
Tap Into Holiday Events Without the Awkwardness
Whether it’s a community event, alumni gathering, hackathon, industry mixer, or a simple ugly-sweater party, holiday events create low-pressure opportunities.
And with hot chocolate, mulled cider, and “warm beverage season” in full swing, people are often more relaxed and conversational.
A few great openers:
- “What are your year-end plans?”
- “What’s something exciting you worked on this year?”
- “What’s a highlight of your 2025 so far?”
- “What are you hoping next year brings at work?”
These are conversation starters that lead to deeper professional discussions naturally.
Follow Up in January (This Is the Secret Sauce)
The most important part of holiday networking is actually… January.
Everyone returns energized with new budgets and new needs. A friendly follow-up keeps you top of mind.
Message Script: January Follow-Up
Hi [Name],
Hope you had a great holiday season! As I mentioned last month, I’m exploring new opportunities in [your field]. If you have time for a quick coffee chat this month, I’d love to reconnect.
Wishing you a great start to 2026,
– [Your Name]
If they don’t reply? Follow up once more two weeks later. People are overwhelmed in January. It’s not personal.
Use the Season to Strengthen Weak Ties
Decades of research, starting with Mark Granovetter’s seminal 1973 study and reinforced by a 2022 LinkedIn study published in Nature, shows that “weak ties” such as acquaintances or looser connections, often play a bigger role in helping people find jobs than close friends or colleagues.
December is the perfect time to:
- Thank someone for past advice
- Reconnect with former classmates
- Speak to older colleagues or mentors
- Reach out to someone you met at a conference months ago
Message Script: Weak-Tie Reconnect
Hi [Name],
I hope your year wrapped up well! We crossed paths at [event/class/company], and I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. If you’re open to reconnecting in the New Year, I’d love to continue the chat.
Warm wishes,
– [Your Name]
Keep Track of Your Connections (Future You Will Thank You)
Use a simple spreadsheet or Notes app to track:
- Who you messaged
- When
- What you discussed
- When to follow up in January
Stay organized; you never know when a contact might be useful.
Be Generous. It Always Comes Back to You.
Holiday networking works best when it includes reciprocity.
Offer:
- An intro
- An article
- A job posting
- A recommendation
- A “let me know if you ever need anything”
People remember who helped them – especially this time of year.
Final Thoughts: Connection = Networking
When you take the pressure off “networking,” you create something better: connection. December is the easiest month of the year to reach out, be remembered (in a good way), and set yourself up for job-search success in the New Year.
Agilus Work Solutions
For nearly 50 years, Agilus has helped Canadians grow their careers through real connection. We place close to 10,000 job seekers every year — often through the power of well-timed conversations and meaningful networks.
Explore our open roles, create a job alert, or build a profile so our 80+ recruiters can find you fast. If you’re planning a move in 2026, now is the time to start building the connections that will open doors.
FAQs for Job Seekers
Q1: Is December actually a good time to network for job opportunities?
A: Yes. Hiring continues through December, but more importantly, people are more open, reflective, and available. Reaching out in December feels natural and often leads to January follow-ups when hiring ramps up.
Q2: How do I reconnect with someone professionally if it’s been a long time?
A: Use the holidays as a built-in reason to say hello. A warm, low-pressure message wishing them well is enough to restart a conversation without feeling awkward.
Q3: What should I say if I’m job searching but don’t want to sound pushy?
A: Keep it human-first. A simple line such as, “If you come across anything in the New Year that might be a fit, I’d appreciate being kept in mind” signals your intent without pressure.
Q4: How do I follow up in January after holiday outreach?
A: Send a friendly message referencing your December note. January is one of the strongest months for hiring, so a gentle follow-up keeps you top of mind.
Q5: What are “weak ties,” and why do they matter for job seekers?
A: Weak ties are acquaintances or light connections, for example: former coworkers, classmates, or people you’ve met at events. Studies show they often lead to more job opportunities than close contacts because they expose you to different networks.
Q6: How can I use the holidays to reconnect with potential mentors or people I admire professionally?
A: The season gives you a natural, low-pressure reason to reach out. A simple holiday greeting paired with a brief note of appreciation (“I’ve always valued your perspective on…” or “Your work this year really inspired me…”) opens the door without asking for anything. You can then follow up in January to request a short coffee chat or career conversation.
Q7:How do I ask for career advice or guidance without it feeling transactional?
A: Focus on curiosity, not opportunity.
Instead of asking, “Can you help me get promoted?” try:
“I’d love to hear your perspective on navigating the next stage of my career in [your field]. Would you be open to a short conversation in January?”
This frames the request as learning-driven, not self-serving.