Amid a cooling U.S. job market with over 1 million layoffs announced this year, Challenger, Gray & Christmas is marking four decades of offering free career guidance through its annual holiday event for job seekers.

The Chicago-based outplacement and executive coaching firm will pause regular operations for two days to provide expert support.

On December 29, it will host four no-cost webinars via Zoom, covering topics such as using artificial intelligence in job hunts, mastering interviews, crafting effective resumes, and leveraging LinkedIn.

The sessions are scheduled as follows: “Leveraging AI in Your Job Search” at 9:30 a.m. CT; “Ace Your Interviews with Confidence, Clarity, and Connection” at 10:30 a.m. CT; “Creating a Winning Resume While Showcasing Skills, Accomplishments, and Your Unique Value” at 1:30 p.m. CT; and “Unlocking LinkedIn to Build Your Professional Brand” at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Registration is available at challengergray.com or directly through this link: https://info.challengergray.com/cgc-holiday-job-search-event.

The following day, December 30, individuals can receive tailored one-on-one coaching by calling 312-422-5010 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT.

Coaches will address personal career concerns, offering strategies for exploring unadvertised positions, handling employment breaks, acquiring new skills, switching fields, and tailoring searches for groups such as recent graduates, military veterans, those nearing retirement, and workers over 55.

The event aims to equip participants with practical steps to progress in their careers, though it does not involve reviewing resumes or securing jobs directly.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas typically reserves its services for clients via corporate programs, making this yearly initiative the sole chance for the public to access its expertise at no charge.

The firm, with more than 50 years in operation, specializes in helping companies and professionals manage workforce changes, emphasizing empathy and tailored solutions to build stronger teams.

U.S. employers have disclosed 1,099,500 job cuts in 2025, the highest total since 2020, according to Challenger’s data, as hiring dips during the colder season.

For details, visit challengergray.com.