‘Tis the holiday season! What a great season for networking and landing a new job.
Are you ready for holiday season networking? So many people take a break from a job search at this time of the year, that those that stay with it have the added plus of less competition.
If you’re a great networker you know this is a great and fun time of the year. If you don’t like to network or haven’t mastered the finer aspects of networking and marketing yourself as you network you might not have feel the same excitement about this season.
Here are 8 quick tips to help you plan your holiday job search networking.
1. Don’t only attend the mandatory events, expand your holiday networking
Leverage the events you always attend and add others. Consider stepping outside of your industry events, family events, and the networking events you do now, add several events where you can meet new contacts.
2. Set a budget for holiday networking
You will have expenses, business cards, attire, event fees, food or beverage, or a donation to a charity or cause. Be willing to invest in yourself, in your search and do it with a grateful heart. Holiday networking is not about going to parties, it is about connecting with critical centers of influence and the opportunity to market you to your target audience.
3. Plan and Set a schedule for holiday networking
The season is short and many events fall on the same day. Plan which events to attend, who to connect with, what to wear, and how you will follow up. Having a plan and a schedule will help your focus.
4. Leverage your existing relationships, network and connections by giving
Each holiday networking event is an opportunity for you to add value to others. Discover who you can help and do so. Connect someone, learn of a need and help, share a tip, do what you can do to help others in your network.
5. Support the event and the community the event serves
Find a way to offer your support for the event or the organization before or after the event. You could share event photos or highlights of the event via social media channels, or connect in advance with the organization or event supporters to offer your unique talent, skills or labor to support the event.
6. Don’t get lost in the crowd
Know how you want to differentiate yourself from others searching for key contacts and your dream job. Know who you want to connect with, and be open to the opportunities before you. Don’t sell, and don’t take your résumé to any holiday event. It can be hard to predict who will show up, remember impressions count.
7. Don’t forget to leverage your online network and online events this season
Many events are growing and some with combine both online and face-to-face experiences. If get an “Evite” with an RSVP treat it as you would any invitation with an RSVP. If you need to check in via a QR code to support the charity – do it. Manners do count.
8. You Can’t Have It All Without Effort and Work
Networking can be great fun. You meet wonderful people, serve others, connect and build relationships and gain a lifetime of event memories, but all relationships take work. During this season in North American the daylight hours are shorter, so it is a season of busy days, long nights, many events and extra commitments. Your networking workload may increase, so adjust your schedule according. Rest during the day if you know an event will end late, drink lots of water and plan your follow up so you can reconnect quickly and in an effective manner.
Do you have a networking tip to share or a comment? Post it below.
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