How Not to be The Networking Grinch This Holiday
The holiday season is among us and most of us are in the holiday spirit, maybe you're looking for a job, recently laid off, maybe you want to switch careers, grow your networking or find new professionals to connect. But you know here’s a invitation for you to be positive because you can turn these networking parties/events into networking opportunities. Here are some networking tips opportunities during the holiday’s to help you through this holiday season in networking.
This is a great time to test your networking opportunities through family, business, neighbors and schools. For example: You’re at a family holiday event and family members ask you “Do you have a job yet?” Its a perfect time to explain no and here’s what I am looking for, do you know anything? Or you’re at a Christmas party, you meet people there ask them about their jobs and you name drop that your looking for a job and what your looking for. Be ready at these events, be interview ready.
Here are some of don’ts:
- Be diplomatic when talking to people, don’t consume their time and have one way conversations.
- Don’t drink too much at parties/events.
- Don’t dominate the conversation.
- Don’t be shy: talk about your skill and experience.
- Don’t be insensitive (avoid religion, sex, politics or other sensitive subjects).
Here are some of Do’s:
- Attend the event you RSVP for. 85% of the jobs today are still secure through networking.
- Attend company holiday parties and mingle.
- Connect/reconnect with friends and neighbors.
- After the event send a holiday card or a quick email.
- Offer to take on extra/different duties at work or a a mom volunteering at a PTA event (great chance to network with other PTA members).
- Look for opportunities for informal interviews.
- Be prepared when attending events (if you know some people who are attending the event look them up on Facebook or LinkedIn to be better prepared).
- Have an “Elevator Pitch” ready. (Have your 60 second commercial ready: what your looking for, what are your skill sets or have someone you know help you through this or have them introduce you). Friends are good ways to get you connected with people you don’t know or want to know.
We are all busy during this time of the season but make the effort to attend your holiday events, company holiday parties, family events or business networking events. These are great opportunities to find that new job, expand your network, get more business or business contacts and reconnect with lost contacts. Always be prepared for your next event by having 30-40 business cards on you, know your “Elevator Pitch”, look up possible contacts on LinkedIn/Facebook, remember to have fun but be diplomatic and use our 50/50 rule for networking (spend half of the time with people you know and the other half making new contacts.
Carpe Diem,
Michael Roberts