Top 10 Holiday Networking Tips

Tis’ the season to spice up your networking over the holidays. This year, our career consultants are offering up their top 10 holiday networking tips for job seekers looking to transition into a new job for 2015. We all know that the holidays are hectic with shopping, families, decorating, making cookies, and lots of other joyful things, but don’t stop thinking about your job search and networking. Below is the Top 10 Holiday Networking Tips to consider from Careerminds:

1. Attend an industry holiday party. Most associations host holiday parties for members and non members. This is a great networking opportunity when people are relaxed and willing to talk and share ideas and experiences.
2. Attend a Yoga or Zumba class as well as your local gym’s holiday party. This provides an opportunity to really meet people, talk to them (besides hello and good class) and let them know what you are passionate about. Exercise is also great for creativity, motivation, as well as a confidence booster.
3. Send out holiday cards and/or e-cards to people you haven’t connected with in a while. Jib Jab is a fun holiday e-card that will put a smile on your network’s face. Have fun with it!
4. Be direct and ask for help. Ask networking contacts to think of any positions they may know of that would be a good fit for your skill set and ask if they know anyone that would be a good connection during your job search.
5. Send a LinkedIn holiday email to your first level connections wishing them a wonderful holiday season as well as updating them on your job search plan is a great way to ask for help, especially in a time of giving.
6. Contact a decision maker over the holidays. It’s much easier to get a hold of decision makers as business travel slows down during the holidays. People are in a more benevolent mood and more willing to take calls and help others.
7. Give as well as receive. Set yourself apart from the vast majority of job seekers by making networking a two-way street. Share information with those you are connecting with so they view the process as valuable to them. Rather than ask “How can I assist you”, ask them what their priorities or initiatives are for 2015.
8. Listen more than talk. You can effectively connect with someone by showing genuine interest in them. So, to keep the focus on them, ask questions like “What are your main priorities these days?” Mention aspects of your interests that match theirs to develop a relationship, but keep the conversation on them.
9. Be self aware and positive. This is one of the biggest areas you should focus on especially when things may not be going too well. Be positive, smile a lot, and exhibit self confidence.    Be approachable and help make others feel comfortable and at ease while talking with you.
10. Make your networking introduction crisp and appropriate for each party/event you attend. This is the perfect time to update people on your situation- make it positive- have the opportunity to move in a different direction- obtain my next challenge etc.

Raymond Lee

Raymond Lee is the President of Careerminds, a global outplacement company based in Wilmington, Delaware. He has over 20 years of human resource, outplacement, and career consulting experience. He has his bachelor’s in psychology and holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. He is active in SHRM and ATD. Raymond’s been featured on SiriusXM Business Radio, CareerTalk, and the Wall Street Journal and he’s published a book titled, Clocking Out: A Stress-Free Guide to Career Transitions.