How to make the most of networking this holiday

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After a long year of hard work, it’s easy to kick up your feet and enjoy the holiday season. But remember that while everyone around you is getting ready to enjoy the holiday season, companies are trying to secure new candidates to fill vacancies.

After a long year of hard work, it’s easy to kick up your feet and enjoy the holiday season. But remember that while everyone around you is getting ready to enjoy the holiday season, companies are trying to secure new candidates to fill vacancies. They want to start the New Year with a full complement of staff. Plus, with lots of job seekers believing that it’s better to start their job search in the New Year, you’ll have less competition.

Not sure how to get your CV out there this holiday season? Here are a few tips to network successfully.

Use holiday events as a networking opportunity
If you’re attending a work-sponsored event, do research on three to five people who will be there; people who you would like to connect with and who you could learn from. Focus on developing a few good relationships instead of trying to connect with everyone at the event, with nothing to show.  

Quick networking tips:

•    When you meet the person you’d like to network with, show interest in their lives and interests, and avoid bringing up your job search immediately.
•    Don’t bring your CV along. This is the time you build relationships and trust with your connections for future conversations.
•    If you’d like to leave something behind, take along a few of your business cards to give to your connections. Make sure your business card has the important information on – title, details and contact info.

Follow up with your contacts
It’s a good idea to follow-up with your contacts after the event to cement your conversation. Send a personalised thank you note and perhaps a very small gift – if you can afford it. The gift is optional of course; it’s just a nice touch for the festive season.

Network with purpose
If you’re going to network these holidays, do it properly. Don’t send out mass mails to everyone. People pick up on that and don’t respond in a positive way. Rather take time to phone a few people, attend functions, and connect with the people you formed relationships with. That way it’ll be much easier and less forced when the topic of job opportunities pops up.

Stay in touch and keep growing your network
Networking can be quite tough. Once you make valuable connections, make sure you don’t let the relationship go down the drain. Find creative ways to stay in touch with your connections. If you’ve acquired a new skill, send your updated CV to your contact with a note attached to it. Also find a way to keep track of your contacts and the last time you’ve given them a call. Don’t let an entire year pass without saying a word to them. Always find way to keep your name top of mind with your connections.