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November 30, 2005

Four Tips for Holiday Networking

Yes, the year is almost over. But if you’re planning on putting off your job search until next year, you might be missing out. Too busy planning holiday parties? Your next opportunity might be right under your nose.

CareerJournal.com suggests networking during these parties, whether or not you’re employed, and offers the following tips:

  • Get Out There: “‘Tis the season” is your reason. If you’re unemployed, seek out seasonal gatherings. Don’t be shy when friends or family members ask you to accompany them to office parties. “If people ask you what you do, simply tell them you'll be making a career move in the new year,” the article suggests.

  • Limit Your Alcohol Intake: This should be obvious. Making a good first impression is key, and being levelheaded enough to do that is essential. You want your next potential boss to think you’d be a good employee -- not good entertainment for the next party.

  • Dress Appropriately: You don’t have to wear interview attire, but don’t let the focus shift from you to your wardrobe – or what it bears underneath. To come across as professional, don’t dress too provocatively or sloppily. Just pick something a bit more dressy than you would normally wear to work.

  • Mingle: Don’t hide in the corner with the people you already know. If you’re shy, ask the people you know to introduce you to others.

For more on office party etiquette, check out this article.

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Posted by Maya on November 30, 2005 at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (2)

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Comments

I read this article with great interest for not only myself but for my Clients. As a Professional Organizer, I have learned the value of business networking. But you need a system to actually STAY in touch with people you meet. And that means personal notes, cards, lunches, an e-mail and phone call occassionally. I work with small businesses who have piles and piles of cards sitting around that they do nothing with. It's time to really think about the value you could be getting from these cards. Plus (and most importantly) you should be learning about new businesses you discover so YOU can actually REFER business to your clients, and provide extra value. So it goes both ways.

On my OrganizingLA Blog, I wrote two posts about business networking. 5 Secrets to Organized Business Networking, which includes tips from other Professional Organizers about how they organize their networking http://organizingla.blogs.com/organizingla_blog/2005/09/5_secrets_for_o.html

and

Business Cards: Use Them or Lose Them-- an interview I did with a Referral Marketing Expert, Denise Kotula, and the need to DO someone with the cards, not have them gather dust. http://organizingla.blogs.com/organizingla_blog/2005/08/last_may_i_was_.html

Posted by: John Trosko | Dec 2, 2005 3:49:56 PM

Yes, I too believe that the holdiay season is a great time to network, but you must practice proper etiquette and do immediate follow-through for your networking to be effective.

I did a post on this topic on my blog, http://referrals.blogs.com/the_referral_network_syst/2005/12/how_to_make_the.html#more

which adds to your post. It suggests that you be sure to send a thank you note to the party host and holiday cards to the new contacts you've just met. It's also important to attend any party you r.s.v.p. as they are counting on you.

Posted by: Denise Kotula | Dec 3, 2005 2:15:53 PM

I liked the intelligence behind this article. You certainly need to be inner-directed, thinking creatively and confident when networking for job and work opportunities. Don't forget the web is possibly your best working opportunity of all and all you need is a very Net-savvy mentor. Open minds adapt to new business ideas. Networking.

Geoff Dodd
Perth Australia

Posted by: Geoff Dodd | Feb 14, 2007 8:23:51 AM

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