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Every year as the holidays approach, most job
seekers and career changers make the mistake of
halting all their efforts. They believe there is no
point in pursuing new opportunities during the
holidays, and that nobody is making hiring decisions
until January, so "why bother?" Many decide to do
absolutely nothing from mid-November to the second
or third week in January!
Making these kinds of assumptions about the holidays
is, again, a huge mistake!
When it comes to the holidays, I suggest you become
a "contrarian" - and do what all the other job
seekers are not doing. Since most of them are taking
an extended break, this opens up real opportunities
for you!
The
reality is that the holidays are an excellent time
to develop and create new contacts for your job
search or career transition. Many companies are
completing their budget planning for the next fiscal
year. This is often the best time to get in front of
hiring managers to create a position for you next
year. Many managers have to fill openings early in
the year or they may lose the budget for that
position. Also, once year-end bonuses are paid, a
predictable percentage of employees will leave their
jobs, creating new vacancies!
Here are 10 career-savvy tips for the holidays from
Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC,
an executive career consulting firm based in Radnor,
PA:
1. IT'S ALL ABOUT
RELATIONSHIPS
Business is all about establishing relationships -
and relationships are developed in social settings!
During the holidays, most people are naturally more
convivial and generous in spirit. There is simply no
better time to solidify existing relationships and
forge new ones!
2. TUNE IN TO THE
NETWORK
There are many
networking events in November and December - in your
social life, in your community, and in your
professional circles. Think of all the companies
having holiday parties. Many charities have their
last fundraisers of the tax year in November and
December. Book sales, holiday fairs and other
celebrations make this the best time of year for
productive networking!
3. SMALL TALK REAPS
BIG BENEFITS
Most professional associations have a holiday party
for their December meeting, with a more informal
atmosphere than the formal presentations held
throughout the rest of the year. Do not bring a
resume to these events. Create a simple, tasteful
business card with your name, phone number and
e-mail address. Be prepared to make interesting
small talk to establish new contacts. Ask the people
you meet about themselves, their work, and their
interests. Remember, everyone's favorite subject is
"themselves!"
4. CONVERSATION
STARTERS AND STOPPERS
Prior to a social or networking event, prepare at
least three neutral questions you can ask, such as:
*
How do you know the host, the company, etc.? * What
made you decide to come to this event? * What other
organizations in this industry do you belong to?
When you find it's time to move on and talk with
someone new, you'll need some phrases to help you
transition during the event. Here are some good
"exit lines:"
*
I'll let you go now, so you can continue circulating
around the room. * I'll stop monopolizing your time
so you can meet some other folks. * It was great
speaking with you. I'll follow up as we discussed.
5. VOLUNTEER
There are
more volunteer opportunities around the holidays
than at any other time of year. This is a good way
to help other people, feel good when you need a
boost, have a renewed sense of purpose during your
search, and meet other professionals. Volunteering
also gives you something interesting to discuss with
the new people you meet!
6. CALL PEOPLE
Use the day
after Thanksgiving to make both follow-up calls and
cold calls. You'll find that whoever is at work that
day will not only be available for a conversation,
but will be grateful to speak to someone! If there
are people who you've been having a hard time
reaching, be sure to take advantage of this unique
opportunity.
7. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS
Pick a seasonal, nondenominational theme - usually a
depiction of a winter scene is best. This is the
time to send cards to everyone on your "career
list," including executive search firms, Human
Resource professionals, and hiring managers with
whom you have interacted over the past year. Don't
write about your job search in the card. Send your
cards early enough for people to remember to invite
you to their holiday get-togethers, and to send you
a card in return! Be sure to include your contact
information with the card, so the recipient can also
reach you.
8. 'TIS BETTER TO GIVE
THAN TO RECEIVE
Remember the old saying popular at this time of
year, "Tis better to give than to receive." This is
certainly true when you're attempting to connect
with people during the holidays. The fastest and
most effective strategy for getting help is "give to
get." Ask the people in your network if you can be
of help to them in any way, or if there is anyone
who they might like an introduction to. Become a
real "connector," and in turn, you will become
"connected!"
9. PLUG IN AND TURN ON
Technology has come a long way. Use the holidays to
connect and reconnect with people on business
networking web sites, such as
http://www.linkedin.com,
http://www.ryze.com
and
http://www.ecademy.com. Connect with local
businesspeople in cyberspace and then take your
connection "live" with a face-to-face meeting. You
can also use these web sites as a great system to
follow-up and keep in touch!
10. BECOME AN
OPPORTUNITY MAGNET
At holiday time, some jobseekers tend to become
overly negative or cynical during what they perceive
as a "lull" in their career transition. Don't fall
into this trap. Get into positive action precisely
when others are "giving up" until early next year.
Think and speak positively, and you'll become a
magnet - ready to attract, interview, and "hire"
your next employer.
If
you're currently in career transition or looking to
move-up at your organization, these strategies
should give you a new perspective on the holidays!
Instead of "taking a vacation" from your career
development activities, take full advantage of this
overlooked opportunity to make real progress in your
quest. Then, you'll really have something to
celebrate!
Ford R. Myers, M.Ed., a career consultant, author
and speaker, provides a full range of services and
products that help you take charge of your career,
create the work you love, and earn what you deserve!
To learn more, visit
http://www.fordmyers.com.
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