Networking tips for the holiday season

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year for networking. As companies are closing out the year, there will be a host of holiday events you can take advantage of to get a leg up on making the right connection.

Here are 7 Holiday Party Networking Tips from AllianceQ:

1. Don't turn down invites to holiday parties. The more contacts the better even if contact is minimal. You never know who you'll meet, but the goal is to make a contact who remembers who you are and what you do.

2. Everyone you meet could be a potential lead, so present yourself well. Practice and perfect the art of introducing yourself. Be clear and simple. Figuring out an effective "sound bite" or "elevator speech" is well worth it because it will often lead to a conversation.

3. Ask for advice. Ask for information. While it's not really appropriate to ask for a job or a promotion at a holiday party, speak the language. Use phrases like: "I'm interested in learning more about…" or "I respect your opinion and wanted your advice about this career move…" People are more receptive to being a resource than just a means to an end.

4. Take notes about the people you meet. After any holiday party, jot down on their business cards what they do, a topic you discussed, or a common interest to jog your memory the next time you follow up. The idea is to relate to your contact on a human level more and personal connections are a great way to take the relationship to the next level.

5. Listen, listen, listen. Don't be that person who, in conversation, waits for his or her turn to speak rather than listen. Your contacts can provide valuable information and insight if you aren't too busy doing all the talking.

6. Be natural and conversational. Try to establish a sense of rapport. Mention something or someone you have in common. Ask simple questions to engage general conversation. Above all, try to avoid sounding like you're reading from a script.

7. Follow up. Be sure to ask for business cards from each new person you meet and then follow up with them referencing something specific from your conversation. A bonus tip on this step is try to follow-up with a handwritten note instead of an email or text. Taking the time to endorse a note says alot about you as a person, professional and colleague.

As the potluck invitations come and the holiday parties are around the corner, be sure to keep these 7 tips in mind to help guide you through the process of networking effectively.

AllianceQ contributed to this article. AllianceQ is a group of Fortune 500 companies that have collaborated to build an exclusive and continually growing pool of job candidates to drive down their cost of recruiting and give candidates inside access to more opportunities.

Happy holidays.