The new year brings a fresh wave of hiring activity as companies finalize budgets, open new positions, and plan to fill roles for the year ahead. January is consistently one of the most active months for job postings and candidate searches, making it an ideal time to explore new opportunities if you’ve been thinking about a career change. In fact, in the first two weeks of January alone, 180,000 new job postings were published, representing a 134% increase in new job ads compared to the final weeks of December.
Whether you’re updating your resume, polishing your personal brand, preparing for interviews, or expanding your network, this guide covers the essential steps you need to take before you start applying. We’ve also included links to in-depth MSB resources so you have everything you need in one place to make your career move a success.
Pro Tip: Set aside time in early January to focus on your job search prep. The more ready you are when opportunities arise, the faster you can move through the hiring process.
Polish Your Resume for Maximum Impact
Your resume is often the first impression you’ll make with hiring managers and recruiters, so January is the perfect time to update and refresh it before applications start rolling in. Focus on key updates like your current responsibilities, recent accomplishments, clear contact information, and relevant keywords for your industry. Remove any outdated roles or responsibilities that no longer reflect your expertise, and remember to tailor your resume to each role you apply for. Generic resumes tend to get overlooked in competitive hiring markets.
For a step-by-step guide on what to update, how to format, and what hiring managers are looking for, check out our article: New Year, New Role? How to Polish Up Your Resume Before Hitting the Job Market.
Quick Win: Read the job description carefully and mirror the language used in your resume. If they’re looking for “property management expertise,” use that exact phrase rather than “building management experience.”
Boost Your Personal Brand and Network Strategically
Your personal brand is how you present yourself professionally, both online and offline. It goes beyond just LinkedIn and encompasses how you communicate, engage with industry content, and connect with others in your field. A strong personal brand makes you memorable and positions you as a standout candidate. Small touches matter, like having a professional email address, maintaining consistent messaging across platforms, and thoughtfully engaging with industry posts. When you comment on or share articles, add your own perspective or insight rather than just reposting.
As you build your brand, start reaching out to former colleagues, managers, mentors, or industry connections. Let people know you’re exploring new opportunities and be specific about what you’re looking for. Attend industry events and multifamily associations where you can meet people face-to-face. Engage actively on LinkedIn by connecting with professionals you meet and participating in relevant discussions. Many job opportunities are filled through referrals before they’re ever publicly posted, so staying visible and building genuine connections can make all the difference.
For strategies on strengthening your professional presence and networking authentically, check out our articles: Candidate Curb Appeal: How to Improve Your Personal Brand and What is Networking.
Try This: When reaching out to connections, don’t lead with “I’m looking for a job.” Instead, ask for advice or insights about their career path. People are more willing to help when it feels collaborative, not transactional.
Prepare for Interviews Before They Happen
Don’t wait until you land an interview to start preparing. Research common interview questions in your field and practice your answers out loud so they feel natural and confident. Behavioral questions are especially common in multifamily hiring, so get comfortable with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This framework helps you structure your answers by describing a specific situation you faced, the task involved, the action you took, and the result you achieved.
Prepare your own questions to ask interviewers as well, as this shows genuine interest and engagement. Review your resume thoroughly so you can speak confidently about every role and accomplishment listed. Beyond the content of your answers, plan your interview outfit, test your tech setup for virtual interviews, and know the route and parking situation for in-person meetings. These logistical details help you show up calm and confident.
For common mistakes to avoid and how to show up prepared and confident, check out our article: Interview Nightmares Are Real—Here’s How to Avoid Them.
Pro Tip: Record yourself answering practice questions on your phone. Watching it back helps you catch filler words, nervous habits, or areas where your answers could be stronger.
Master Interview Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts
How you conduct yourself before and after the interview is just as important as the interview itself. Before the interview, confirm the time and location, research the company and your interviewers, and arrive 10-15 minutes early for in-person meetings or log in early for virtual ones. During the interview, be polite to everyone you encounter, from receptionists to assistants to other employees, and silence your phone completely.
After the interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours and personalize it with specific conversation points from your discussion. If you don’t hear back within the stated timeline, follow up appropriately. Poor etiquette can cost you an offer, even if the interview itself went well, so treating every interaction with professionalism matters.
For detailed guidance on professional interview behavior from start to finish, check out our article: The Do’s and Don’ts of Interview Etiquette.
Smart Move: Keep an “interview tracker” spreadsheet with company names, interviewer names, dates, and key conversation points. This makes personalized follow-up emails much easier to write.
Final Thoughts: Make This Your Year
The new year brings new opportunities, but only if you’re prepared to seize them. Polish your resume and tailor it to each role, strengthen your personal brand and network authentically, prepare for interviews before they happen, and mind your interview etiquette at every stage. The January hiring surge won’t last forever, so use this time wisely. Small steps now mean big results when the right opportunity comes along. Your next role is out there, make sure you’re ready when it finds you.
Ready to land your next role in multifamily? MSB Resources connects top talent with leading property management companies. Let us help you find the perfect fit.