Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, January 12, 2026 (Puzzle #680). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Appeal to a hire power"
What It Really Means
This theme is about job application documents and components. You're looking for sections or elements you'd typically find on a resume or CV.
Think About...
- Standard resume sections and headings
- Information employers look for in applications
- Categories that organize professional qualifications
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to Right then Up
Letter Count: 6 letters
Starting Zone: Fourth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The document that summarizes your professional qualifications
Hint 2 (Warmer): What you submit when applying for a job
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is R, last letter is E
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RESUME
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Personal identifier
Closer: What you're called
Letter Clue: Starts with N, 4 letters total
Answer
NAME
Word 2
Vague: Recognition for achievements
Closer: Honors and prizes received
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 6 letters total
Answer
AWARDS
Word 3
Vague: Abilities and competencies
Closer: What you're good at doing
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SKILLS
Word 4
Vague: Academic background
Closer: Schools and degrees
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 9 letters total
Answer
EDUCATION
Word 5
Vague: How to reach you
Closer: Phone, email, and address information
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CONTACT
Word 6
Vague: Work history
Closer: Previous jobs and roles
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 10 letters total
Answer
EXPERIENCE
Full Answers
Spangram: RESUME
Theme Words:
- NAME
- AWARDS
- SKILLS
- EDUCATION
- CONTACT
- EXPERIENCE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: AWARDS (Could be overlooked as some resumes use "Honors" or "Achievements" instead)
Our Take: A straightforward theme with clear resume sections that most players will recognize immediately. The spangram "RESUME" perfectly captures the theme, and all words are common resume headings. This puzzle serves as a good introduction for new players with its logical, everyday vocabulary.
