| Every year as the holidays approach, most | | | | some other folks. |
| jobseekers and career changers make the mistake | | | | * It was great speaking with you. I'll follow up as we |
| of halting all their efforts. They believe there is no | | | | discussed. |
| point in pursuing new opportunities during the | | | | 5. VOLUNTEER |
| holidays, and that nobody is making hiring decisions | | | | There are more volunteer opportunities around the |
| until January, so "why bother?" Many decide to do | | | | holidays than at any other time of year. This is a |
| absolutely nothing from mid-November to the second | | | | good way to help other people, feel good when you |
| or third week in January! | | | | need a boost, have a renewed sense of purpose |
| Making these kinds of assumptions about the holidays | | | | during your search, and meet other professionals. |
| is, again, a huge mistake! | | | | Volunteering also gives you something interesting to |
| When it comes to the holidays, I suggest you | | | | discuss with the new people you meet! |
| become a "contrarian" - and do what all the other job | | | | 6. CALL PEOPLE |
| seekers are not doing. Since most of them are taking | | | | Use the day after Thanksgiving to make both |
| an extended break, this opens up real opportunities | | | | follow-up calls and cold calls. You'll find that whoever |
| for you! | | | | is at work that day will not only be available for a |
| The reality is that the holidays are an excellent time | | | | conversation, but will be grateful to speak to |
| to develop and create new contacts for your job | | | | someone! If there are people who you've been |
| search or career transition. Many companies are | | | | having a hard time reaching, be sure to take |
| completing their budget planning for the next fiscal | | | | advantage of this unique opportunity. |
| year. This is often the best time to get in front of | | | | 7. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS |
| hiring managers to create a position for you next | | | | Pick a seasonal, nondenominational theme - usually a |
| year. Many managers have to fill openings early in the | | | | depiction of a winter scene is best. This is the time |
| year or they may lose the budget for that position. | | | | to send cards to everyone on your "career list," |
| Also, once year-end bonuses are paid, a predictable | | | | including executive search firms, Human Resource |
| percentage of employees will leave their jobs, | | | | professionals, and hiring managers with whom you |
| creating new vacancies! | | | | have interacted over the past year. Don't write |
| Here are 10 career-savvy tips for the holidays from | | | | about your job search in the card. Send your cards |
| Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC, an | | | | early enough for people to remember to invite you |
| executive career consulting firm based in Radnor, PA: | | | | to their holiday get-togethers, and to send you a |
| 1. IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS | | | | card in return! Be sure to include your contact |
| Business is all about establishing relationships - and | | | | information with the card, so the recipient can also |
| relationships are developed in social settings! During | | | | reach you. |
| the holidays, most people are naturally more convivial | | | | 8. 'TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE |
| and generous in spirit. There is simply no better time | | | | Remember the old saying popular at this time of |
| to solidify existing relationships and forge new ones! | | | | year, "Tis better to give than to receive." This is |
| 2. TUNE IN TO THE NETWORK | | | | certainly true when you're attempting to connect |
| There are many networking events in November and | | | | with people during the holidays. The fastest and |
| December - in your social life, in your community, and | | | | most effective strategy for getting help is "give to |
| in your professional circles. Think of all the companies | | | | get." Ask the people in your network if you can be |
| having holiday parties. Many charities have their last | | | | of help to them in any way, or if there is anyone |
| fundraisers of the tax year in November and | | | | who they might like an introduction to. Become a real |
| December. Book sales, holiday fairs and other | | | | "connector," and in turn, you will become "connected!" |
| celebrations make this the best time of year for | | | | 9. PLUG IN AND TURN ON |
| productive networking! | | | | Technology has come a long way. Use the holidays |
| 3. SMALL TALK REAPS BIG BENEFITS | | | | to connect and reconnect with people on business |
| Most professional associations have a holiday party | | | | networking web sites, such as and Connect with local |
| for their December meeting, with a more informal | | | | businesspeople in cyberspace and then take your |
| atmosphere than the formal presentations held | | | | connection "live" with a face-to-face meeting. You |
| throughout the rest of the year. Do not bring a | | | | can also use these web sites as a great system to |
| resume to these events. Create a simple, tasteful | | | | follow-up and keep in touch! |
| business card with your name, phone number and | | | | 10. BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY MAGNET |
| e-mail address. Be prepared to make interesting small | | | | At holiday time, some jobseekers tend to become |
| talk to establish new contacts. Ask the people you | | | | overly negative or cynical during what they perceive |
| meet about themselves, their work, and their | | | | as a "lull" in their career transition. Don't fall into this |
| interests. Remember, everyone's favorite subject is | | | | trap. Get into positive action precisely when others |
| "themselves!" | | | | are "giving up" until early next year. Think and speak |
| 4. CONVERSATION STARTERS AND STOPPERS | | | | positively, and you'll become a magnet - ready to |
| Prior to a social or networking event, prepare at least | | | | attract, interview, and "hire" your next employer. |
| three neutral questions you can ask, such as: | | | | If you're currently in career transition or looking to |
| * How do you know the host, the company, etc.? | | | | move-up at your organization, these strategies should |
| * What made you decide to come to this event? | | | | give you a new perspective on the holidays! Instead |
| * What other organizations in this industry do you | | | | of "taking a vacation" from your career development |
| belong to? | | | | activities, take full advantage of this overlooked |
| When you find it's time to move on and talk with | | | | opportunity to make real progress in your quest. |
| someone new, you'll need some phrases to help you | | | | Then, you'll really have something to celebrate! |
| transition during the event. Here are some good "exit | | | | |
| lines:" | | | | Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, |
| * I'll let you go now, so you can continue circulating | | | | provided it appears in its entirety with the following |
| around the room. | | | | attribution: Copyright © 2006, Ford R. Myers and |
| * I'll stop monopolizing your time so you can meet | | | | Career Potential, LLC. |