It’s hard to believe, but I have not finished sharing the great ideas my colleagues shared for my holiday networking for job seekers series!
Sandra Naiman, author of The High Achiever’s Secret Codebook: The Unwritten Rules for Success at Work (JIST, 2009) [read my review HERE] echos the sentiment that the “holiday season is a great time to enlarge and reactivate your network. That is not to say that you ask people if they have or know of a job; however social networking sites, letters and cards are a great way to get back on people’s radar screen.”
She suggests that you create inexpensive ways to bring people together at your house – such as a cookie baking party where everyone cooks and shares cookies and candies with everyone else. “Again, your objective is to connect with as many people as possible and create opportunities for follow up, where appropriate, after the holidays.”
A fun idea – host your own party!
Another author, Richard S. Deems, who wrote, Make Job Loss Work For You (Jist 2010) with his daughter, Terri Deems, suggests job seekers move their focus to direct (in-person) networking during the holidays to take advantage of the generally good mood. Richard reminds us how important it is to follow up, which is key!
Jeff Lipschultz, a founding partner of A-List Solutions, a premier recruiting firm, brings great advice from the “other side of the hiring desk.” I “met” Jeff on Twitter, and I encourage you to follow him @jlipschultz for terrific job hunting tweets and advice! I also highly recommend his blog. He is also a featured writer on www.job-hunt.org. Jeff adds:
“The employment world at the end of the year is an unusual situation. Sure, it’s the holiday season and there are many vacations and last minute goals to achieve for the year. But, it is also a prime time to be interviewing. Many companies still need to fill a spot on the team that was budgeted this year. Other companies have a little more time to wedge in some interviews. Some budgets for 2010 are already set or close. Which means, some hiring managers already know their January job hires and may get a jump start on the search to grab the best talents available ahead of other companies. They’re anticipating the start date of any hire being in January.
Candidates who are actively pursuing open jobs during this time frame should stand out as serious candidates. Keep the search alive during the holiday season!”
Finally, my friend Ellen Sautter, a senior career management consultant with Right Management and co-author with Diane Crompton of Seven Days to Online Networking (Jist 2008) [read my review HERE], brings her unique perspective as someone working at a large outplacement firm with many job seekers shares some good news!
We see the job market picking up right now. Many of our candidates are landing new positions and certainly getting more ‘traction’ in the market than earlier this year. With companies starting to loosen the purse strings, we would advise job seekers to stay engaged and attentive…..while of course taking some time for fun and family activities to maintain ‘balance.’
She reminds us that:
Hiring is not as predictable as it used to be. There are no weeks / months / periods when companies stop recruiting and screening candidates. New jobs are posted all the time; and interviews are scheduled and offers are extended during all weeks of the year.
So, good news for job seekers. I hope you are totally convinced that prepping your pitch and going to holiday parties with a positive attitude is the best job search strategy! Tomorrow, one final thought to close our series. FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH HOLIDAY JOB SEARCH IN THE COMMENTS!
Be sure to take a look at all the great advice from my colleagues:
Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer
Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself
Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd
Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest
Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers
Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare
Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment
Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you
Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions
Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social
Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it
Part 13 – Lisa Caldas Kappesser – Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles
Part 14 – 4 tips for effective networking follow up for the holidays and the rest of the year
I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching? If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.
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