If your plan is to wait until the holidays are over to really jump start your job search, think again. The holidays are actually a great time to hunt for a new job. Here are some helpful tips, provided by About.com, for boosting your job search.
Networking at Holiday Parties
The holiday season provides a perfect opportunity for job search networking. Even if you’re out of work and out of holiday cheer, it’s important not to miss out on any opportunities to meet people who can help you find a job.
Accept all the invitations you receive and consider the networking you’re going to do as a key part of your job search. Even if you don’t feel like going to a party or other holiday celebration, you’ll not only meet people who can, and would like, to help. You might even have much more fun than you expected!
Phil Haynes, Manager Director of AllianceQ, the group of Fortune 500 companies, and over 3000 small and medium sized companies, that have collaborated to create a pool of job candidates, shares his tips for holiday networking at parties, so you can get the most out of the events you attend.
Holiday Party Networking Tips from AllianceQ:
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 and the goal is have a contact who remembers who you are and what you do.
Everyone you meet could be a potential lead, so introduce yourself well. Practice and perfect the art of introducing yourself. Again, clearly and simply. Figuring out your “sound bite” is worth it. It gets that conversational ball rolling!
Ask for advice. Ask for information. While it’s not really appropriate to ask for a job at a holiday party, speak the language. Use phrases such as “I’m interested in learning more about.” or “I respect your opinion and wanted your advice about this career or job.” People are more receptive to being a resource than a means to an end!
Take notes about the people you meet. After any holiday party, jot down on their business cards or on a contact info card what they do, a topic you discussed, or a common interest to job your memory. This can be helpful for using in future contacting.
Listen. Your contacts can provide valuable information and insight if you aren’t too busy doing all the talking!