The Twelve Days of Networking: Optimizing the Jolly Season's Career Enriching Opportunities!
Here we are at the calendar year end home stretch. While job hunters may feel like things are going to slow down, many hiring managers and decision makers are in a crunch. So, job seekers, now is a great time for you to provide assistance to prospective employers and show them that you are a "roll up your sleeves" kind of person, ready, willing and able to dig in and become a part of their team now.
For those job hunters who are networking-challenged, holiday time is a chance to invite someone you need to get to know to join you for a festivity - offer them a ride, directions, an admission ticket, remind them of its time and date, etc. December is definitely a super time to get out and circulate, to network in person, over the phone, via e-mail and through holiday cards. Extra bonus: Doing your proper follow up on December networking gives you an automatic January contact!
Many individuals, especially those who are socially challenged (Hello, all you right-brainers out there!) may breathe a sigh of relief because the holiday season offers so many opportunities to make small talk about subjects people usually find easier to handle like family, holidays, shopping, parties, etc. These topics will break an awkward silence or warm up a conversation. This tends to strengthen and build relationships since people find lots in common to share when it comes to the holidays. All this good interpersonal interaction promotes positive networking experiences that represent chances for a candidate to learn about restructurings, new initiatives and other opportunities comprising the hidden or unadvertised job market.
Try these networking tips to break the ice, get the confidence juices flowing and maximize your holiday time interactions. This is what to talk about (a/k/a "The unofficial Job Whiz Networking Program") after you exchange standard greetings and politely inquire about each other's families. It's been custom-designed for those planning or thinking of launching a job search. Good luck! Happy Holidays!
- Do your homework. Before venturing into unknown territory prepare yourself for the adventure. Study your subject. Get familiar with the layout. List the best and the worst possibilities and make notes on how to handle them.
- Try to find out in advance who is expected to be there. Is this an event worth your appearance or should you allocate your time and money to a cause with more networking potential or a higher quotient of fun?
- What do you want to accomplish when you finally get in front of the target contact? Do you want their card, e-mail address, telephone number, or better, their permission to contact them afterwards to discuss your mutual interests? How are you going to approach them? What are you going to say? Youll fumble unless you plan your wording ahead of time.
- Just like a job interview over lunch is never about filling your stomach, a holiday networking occasion is never about the libations. It's for you to focus on learning as much as you can (and remembering all you can) from whomever you speak with and to concentrate on expanding your circle of relevant, first hand contacts.
- An event is an invaluable, rare face-to-face encounter in the age of e-mails, telephones and faxes. This means creating good, warm, interpersonal chemistry that is the building block for a future relationship founded on mutual trust and credibility. Your first impression COUNTS. Keep those breath mints, smile buttons and business cards handy!
- Research those you will be meeting. Check out the vitals on the company, bio of individuals, the industry trends and current events. Be ready to discuss at least one or two specific items or issues that you have studied in depth - so you can make a good impression and maybe surprise someone with your knowledge, understanding and obvious initiative.
- Remember that you can't do much harm keeping your mouth shut. If you don't have anything to add, there is no need to talk. You can't hurt yourself by quietly nodding, offering a friendly smile and being simply pleasant in acknowledging that you are listening appreciatively. Better to leave no impression or a neutral one than to damage your reputation because you talked out of turn or didn't make a politically correct statement. (Caution: You may be sober but you don't know what the others who are listening could be hearing and then later reporting.)
- Go with a purpose. Your time, and everyone else's who is there, is valuable. Don't waste your time, or anyone else's. Be respectful and courteous. If you see a certain person you want to meet, it would be best to arrange for a mutual contact to introduce you to them. This is easier than walking up cold and introducing yourself.
- Find someone who is acquainted with whom you need to know and ask them if they will introduce you to the third party you want to meet. It's better if you can then do something helpful for your introducer - one hand washes the other, what goes round comes round, etc. Never forget a favor. Always thank those who do them for you.
- Write timely thank you notes for assistance, introductions, referrals, advice, etc. Not only does this leave a favorable impression showing that you have good manners and are courteous, but it makes someone else feel good to know they are appreciated.
- If possible, find a partner with whom to work the room. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to meet new people when the two of you approach an individual or group. You can start by introducing yourselves. The dynamics of two strangers doing this seem to be so much easier than if a single new person attempts to break into a throng and get involved in a discussion.
- Quality is more important than quantity. It is better to invest your time really sharing and talking to a few chosen contacts than to have a zillion superficial interactions. Don't break off a productive discussion to start another one leaving your first partner hanging without your contact info! Your goal is to be remembered and for someone to get involved enough to take action on your behalf. You need to be more than a name on a card or resume. You want to be a resource they'll keep in mind.
Debra Feldman is a highly accomplished, executive talent agent in private practice who strategizes and comprehensively executes swift, successful custom-tailored campaigns that connect with decision makers. She personally originates warm introductions that accelerate job offers for clients. To learn how JobWhiz identifies unadvertised opportunities in the hidden job market, gets past gatekeepers, represents top candidates to employers and arranges faster landings, contact DebraFeldman@JobWhiz.com.
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