Just because people won’t be in the office for a few days, that is no reason to stop your networking efforts – especially if you are looking for a job right now. Keep these networking sources in mind while you celebrate the season…
Family and Friends
When getting together with friends and family, mention how you are still looking for work. However, keep in mind one important rule: No WHINING!
Don’t lament about how difficult the job search has been. Instead, share the positive news. This could be anything from a recent interview to an update on your resume. Be sure to mention what kind of work you are looking for, including your target companies or employers. People tend to forget that people are seeking a job, or exactly what kind of work they do. A positive pitch can help jog their memory about recent news they may have heard.
Association Networking Events
During the holidays, many associations halt their regularly-scheduled meetings to hold parties or other social gatherings. This is a great way to get to know people in your industry. The most valuable networking is when people make real, personal connections with each other. Not sure about what associations you should target? In Denver, Jobing.com has a long and comprehensive listing of associations on their Resources page. If you have a specialized industry, Google the name and “association” or similar terms to find leads.
Holiday Meetup.com or LinkedIn Groups Get-togethers
Just like associations, many of the groups that gather in the virtual realm like to create a holiday event in the real world. In Denver, the Linked to Denver group is holding their annual holiday party on November 29, 2011. Drawing up to 400 people, it is one of the best business networking parties for the holidays. And the best news yet: it’s free! To register, go to http://DenverHolidayParty.com.
The Holiday Email
While holiday or Christmas cards should be reserved for friends and close business contacts (such as your references), it is very affordable to send a holiday email to all of your connections. Notice that the goal here is not to say “I’m looking for a job;” instead, your message should be “thank you for all of your support this year.”
After all, how often do we really remember to thank the important people in our lives?
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