Holiday Networking are you crazy? It is the holidays and it should be enjoyable! You are probably invited to parties where you can make connections and make next year better for your career. Whether you are happy with your career or need a change, make the most of this holiday season networking opportunities.
Why Holiday Networking Makes Sense?
Recently, my family and I were at Thanksgiving at a friend’s house. I realized very quickly there were people (about 20) there that represented nearly twenty different professions. If I wanted to make a career change, there were enough resources in that home to give me a lot of connections. Some of you may say it is the holidays; you should not ruin it by talking about work! I am not suggesting that you talk about work, but instead make a connection. I wrote an article called “Is Networking Over for Job Seekers?” which chronicles how technology has changed job search and networking.
You know what to do! You are pleasant and make small talk. This is not hard to do during the holidays. There is good food and everyone is generally happy. You get to know the guests you do not know and you can contact them later. There are office parties, industry parties and social parties that are all opportunities to make connections. Either you are meeting new people or renewing old acquaintances, it is an easy way to expand your network. What should you do?
Be yourself
Make connections, but don’t discuss business. Chances are the other guests do not want to discuss business either. Remember, these parties are for the holidays. The drinks are flowing and everyone is relaxed. Get to know the people who you do not know and make the connection. You are trying to accumulate new members of your network to call on them later. The goal is to build new relationships! Make a friend, people hire people they like.
What is Your Goal?
Enjoy yourself, but meet new people. If there are ten (10) people at the party you do not know, make sure you meet them. Do you ask for business cards at holiday parties? I think not, but ask if you can contact them later. This is a great opportunity for your friends or colleagues introduce you to new people. It is a lot better than a regular networking situation. You have the benefit of a mutual friend helping you meet new people. Your goal should be to walk away with many more people who know you and you can call later to help your networking.
Follow-up
The holidays will be over before you know it and parties too. You go to a lot of parties and made connections with a lot of people. What do you do next? You follow-up with everyone you feel you made a connection. It can be a short note of how much you enjoyed the conversation or a phone call. This is when the work starts! You need to carefully use your new connections to network for your career, business or just because you made a new friend. You can use social media, Linkedin, email and just dropping a note in the mail. In these high tech times, little niceties like a hand written note or a phone call is appreciated.
Final Thoughts
Do you think of networking at holiday parties? I know I don’t! You should not pass out your business cards at your next holiday party, but instead use the opportunity to meet new people. Make friends and connect with as many new people as you can. Remember, employers hire people they like. There are companies that are expanding and you can be a part of it. Networking is not easy, but it should be easier at a holiday party to just get to know a new person and they get to know you. These contacts are better than an average network meeting because you have mutual friends, but it is still up to you to do something with these contacts. Holiday Networking can help you achieve success.
Photo by: Robert S. Donovan
Holiday Networking are you crazy?
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The more people in your network, the more likely you are to get what you want ( and provide others with what they want). A friend of mine gave me a great book the other day called 101 Successful Networking Strategies. It has a short paragraph on each page, and it has some pretty simple and applicable ideas.
I agree. Taking advantage of holiday parties to make new friends and contacts is a great idea. I got to do this at my husbands staff party last year. It was a great time. I like your point about not talking about work. It is much better to get to know the person in a personal way.
Networking is another word for making friends. making a friend first can lead to a great contact for many other things including career opportunities.
I have to admit that I never thought about doing that but have done it on a regular basis; and of course you are right about the qulaity of the connection. Thanks for the ideas, KC.
Making the connection is the goal and it will lead to other opportunities.
Very true, the more connections and the larger your network, the more opportunities that may occur.
I hate networking! I despise it, actually. But it has definitely come in handy for landing jobs.
Think of networking as just making friends then it is not as bad. Your friends are a network!
I think parties are a great opportunity to network but I also would not advise mixing business at a holiday party. You can always connect regarding business later.
Totally agree! You are just making a connection at the party and you can connect again later after the party for business.
I love the power of networking, it is a gold mine in my eyes when you’re at a party like that. It doesn’t have to be about business, what you’re doing is planting seeds and creating more opportunities for yourself in the future.
It is literally making connections! Using your connections at a later date is what networking is all about.
I am passionate about networking. Much of my success stems from tasteful networking!
Tasteful networking sounds like a strategy! 🙂 If you make a connection, you can use it later. Expanding your network is invaluable.
Great insight on this topic. It sounds like the voice of experience talking.
I love to meet people particularly if we have something in common. Better yet, if we know some of the same people. Networking is connecting on that level.
I never did networking in holiday parties. But, I should do. This is very practical subject.
Holiday parties are opportunities to meet new people and you can expand your network. You never know where your next career or business opportunity may come from!
Great point about networking for jobs at holiday parties, you never know where you might meet someone who will open a door for you.
Networking should always be this easy! You are at a party enjoying yourself and you just make some connections.
Two problems: Most of my holiday parties are with family and even when they aren’t I have terrific problems remembering names and faces – do you have suggestions as to how to capture those discretely?
Recently, we were at Thanksgiving with family and friends and there were a couple people I did no know. In most cases, you may have to remember 2-3 names and you can always write something down when no one is looking. My wife and I usually go to our employer’s parties, new ground to meet people.
Great points. It always good to meet new people and leverage your new relationships as networking. I am attending a holiday party this weekend and i am going to make sure i meet new people and instead of hanging with people i already know.
You can always have your friends introduce you to the new people too. Good luck.
I agree.. do not network at the company party. Simply be a good guest and an even better listener. If there is someone at the party who you want to network with get their contact information and follow up. But, you should seek to be a friend first instead of jumping right into spamming people with your business cards.
At the party, you should only make the connection. At some future date, you contact them and refer to the party as a way to reconnect.
Networking has always come fairly naturally. I read a great article the other day on MD’s site where he was giving tips on how to host a party. I think hosting a great party is the perfect way to make connections. Everyone knows you as the host, and simply by doing a great job you create a great first impression without any pressure or awkward connection-specific talk.
Absolutely! I think friends introducing you to other friends is also a good way to meet people. It provides a positive impression and link before you even say anything.
My company Christmas party is coming up. Will keep your post in mind. Thanks and congrats on the coverage!
Since you are new to the company,you are in a perfect situation to go around and meet everybody. Good luck and thanks for your support.
I’m really trying to work harder on my networking skills at the moment, so thanks for the tips. The holiday season is a good opportunity to try some of this out, have to see how it goes.
Keep it casual, you are just trying to meet new people.
I agree with avoiding business card exchanges and talking business at all. I usually ask the host of the party if they have a few of the people’s email address that I’d like to contact. Then I just reintroduce myself via email (once again, no business) and let them know that I enjoyed meeting them at the event. If I’m polite and stay away from business, I make good contacts.
Thhat is exactly what I would do too. The purpose is to make a contact or friend. The connection is more important than a job.
I enjoy meeting new people and making connections. At parties… I will exchange emails and or phone numbers if the time is right.
Expanding your network is what it is about.