‘Tis the Season to Search: Parties

We hope you have fun at the holiday parties you attend this year, but don’t forget that the people you meet and faces you get to know could help you in your job search. It goes without saying that you should stay professional and avoid inappropriate behavior. Being the person who’s remembered as the one with the lamp shade on their head might not help you out all that much.

Many professional organizations have holiday parties, gathering or meetings. Often, these are a little more informal and may provide just the right networking opportunities you’ve been waiting for, so keep this advice in mind as you rock around the Christmas tree this year.

1. As you attend parties, take the opportunity to talk to people about their jobs. You shouldn’t just tell them all about yourself and how you need a job, but act as a sponge to soak up all the helpful information they may have to give you, such as what it’s like to work for their organization, who the boss is and what opportunities there may be.
2. If a friend has an office party and invites you along, definitely go. Even if you don’t want to work for this company or aren’t qualified for any of their positions, talk to as many people as you can and let them know you’re looking for a job. They may have some advice for you.
3. If you’re employed but hoping to get a new job in the company, use this more casual time to get to know your bosses. Or, if it’s one of the only times in the year when you see the president or CEO of the company, be sure you at least say hello and chat for a minute with him or her.
4. Instead of always being an attendee at a party, host your own. Invite past and present colleagues, prospects, clients and contacts to an open house, casual buffet or afternoon tea to make a more personal connection. People may be more likely to invite you to these more personal events next time.

One final thought: people LOVE a good listener. It is common for people to view a good listener as someone who must really like them.  We all want to be listened to, and if you’re able to be a good listener at a party, it’s likely that people will remember you as the best person they met.  And isn’t that the impression you’d like to leave?

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