Top 10 Holiday Tips For Career Success

Every year as the holidays approach, mostsome 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 nodiscussed.
point in pursuing new opportunities during the5. VOLUNTEER
holidays, and that nobody is making hiring decisionsThere are more volunteer opportunities around the
until January, so "why bother?" Many decide to doholidays than at any other time of year. This is a
absolutely nothing from mid-November to the secondgood 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 holidaysduring 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 youdiscuss with the new people you meet!
become a "contrarian" - and do what all the other job6. CALL PEOPLE
seekers are not doing. Since most of them are takingUse the day after Thanksgiving to make both
an extended break, this opens up real opportunitiesfollow-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 timeconversation, but will be grateful to speak to
to develop and create new contacts for your jobsomeone! If there are people who you've been
search or career transition. Many companies arehaving a hard time reaching, be sure to take
completing their budget planning for the next fiscaladvantage of this unique opportunity.
year. This is often the best time to get in front of7. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS
hiring managers to create a position for you nextPick a seasonal, nondenominational theme - usually a
year. Many managers have to fill openings early in thedepiction 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 predictableincluding 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 fromabout your job search in the card. Send your cards
Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC, anearly 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 RELATIONSHIPScard in return! Be sure to include your contact
Business is all about establishing relationships - andinformation with the card, so the recipient can also
relationships are developed in social settings! Duringreach you.
the holidays, most people are naturally more convivial8. 'TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE
and generous in spirit. There is simply no better timeRemember 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 NETWORKcertainly true when you're attempting to connect
There are many networking events in November andwith people during the holidays. The fastest and
December - in your social life, in your community, andmost effective strategy for getting help is "give to
in your professional circles. Think of all the companiesget." Ask the people in your network if you can be
having holiday parties. Many charities have their lastof help to them in any way, or if there is anyone
fundraisers of the tax year in November andwho 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 for9. PLUG IN AND TURN ON
productive networking!Technology has come a long way. Use the holidays
3. SMALL TALK REAPS BIG BENEFITSto connect and reconnect with people on business
Most professional associations have a holiday partynetworking web sites, such as and Connect with local
for their December meeting, with a more informalbusinesspeople in cyberspace and then take your
atmosphere than the formal presentations heldconnection "live" with a face-to-face meeting. You
throughout the rest of the year. Do not bring acan also use these web sites as a great system to
resume to these events. Create a simple, tastefulfollow-up and keep in touch!
business card with your name, phone number and10. BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY MAGNET
e-mail address. Be prepared to make interesting smallAt holiday time, some jobseekers tend to become
talk to establish new contacts. Ask the people youoverly negative or cynical during what they perceive
meet about themselves, their work, and theiras a "lull" in their career transition. Don't fall into this
interests. Remember, everyone's favorite subject istrap. Get into positive action precisely when others
"themselves!"are "giving up" until early next year. Think and speak
4. CONVERSATION STARTERS AND STOPPERSpositively, and you'll become a magnet - ready to
Prior to a social or networking event, prepare at leastattract, 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 youof "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 withopportunity to make real progress in your quest.
someone new, you'll need some phrases to help youThen, 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 circulatingprovided 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 meetCareer Potential, LLC.