In this issue:

🎁 Special: 2025 Wrapped

🎈 Just for Fun: Real or AI?

💡 Associate Spotlight: Denise Decker

📌 Featured Career Opportunities

📰 Industry News

🔗 Connect With Your Recruiter

🎁 Special: 2025 Wrapped

As we close out another year of Connective Services, I've been reflecting on the conversations we've had with you, both in this newsletter and across many placements. Here are five insights from 2025 that were salient and impactful:

1. The best candidates aren't looking for you.
   Top talent is comfortable where they are. Passive recruitment isn't optional anymore — it's the strategy that wins. Read more in Issue 15. >

2. Your hiring team needs aligned priorities.
   When half your team prioritizes skills and the other half wants cultural fit, candidates sense the confusion. Decide what problem you're solving before you start interviews. Read more in Issue 16. >

3. First impressions happen on paper.
   Generic job descriptions and buzzword-heavy resumes waste everyone's time. Use specifics, numbers, and clarity about what's actually in it for the other person. Read more in Issue 14. >

4. Career moves affect entire families.
   The best candidates think beyond salary. They consider commute times, school districts, and whether their spouse can build a career in a new city. Smart recruiters help them think through these questions. Read more in Issue 11. >

5. Smaller firms offer bigger growth.
   When your work is visible and your responsibilities are varied, advancement happens faster. Don't overlook opportunities at firms without big-name recognition. Read more in Issue 8. >

These aren't just recruiting trends. They're reminders that hiring is deeply human. It's about understanding what drives people, what holds them back, and what makes a role worth pursuing.

Thanks for letting us be part of your inbox this year. Here's to more great conversations (and great placements) in 2026.

🎈 Just for Fun

Real or AI? LinkedIn Headlines

Which headline do you think was written by ChatGPT?

A: “Wealth Management Professional | Helping High-Net-Worth Families Achieve Financial Peace of Mind Through Comprehensive Planning”

B: “Dynamic Financial Advisor Leveraging Cutting-Edge Solutions to Optimize Client Outcomes Through Strategic Wealth Enhancement Methodologies”

Our answer ➡️ B sounds very AI. Leveraging, optimize, and methodologies are all $10 words that could be replaced with clearer, more human terms. Use AI to brainstorm and draft — then refine elements like LinkedIn headlines to make sure they sound like the real you.

“That it’s impersonal. Most recruiters really take an interest in the candidates they are working with. I know I do.

For candidates, I want to know, what are they truly looking for? The best fit? Best compensation package? Best opportunity to grow in their career?

For hiring managers, I’m digging into: How much does an open seat or a mis-hire cost the firm? How much can we assist and save time in the interview process so they can concentrate on their team and job responsibilities?”