2007 E-Newsletter articles
E-Newsletter articles for your Professional Development
Career Building Through the Holidays
December 2007
Do you avoid holiday socials? Unsure of what to say to the almost-strangers you meet? The question "What do you do?" can be especially challenging. But with a little preparation this time of year provides easy opportunities to connect with new people that will form part of your professional network; allowing you to build on connections now for your job search activities in the new year.
A few tips for holiday networking:
- Treat every function as a chance to practice professional communication in a relaxed setting.
- Identify one thing you'd like people to remember about you and a few areas of interest you'd like to explore further over the next year.
- Keep yourself motivated; set a simple goal for each event such as speaking to three people about the changes they saw in their work or industry recently. This is a safe and easy conversation starter, both to ask and to answer.
- Be genuinely interested in learning about people, their professional successes and interests. This also provides many reasons to follow up after the holidays and reduces jitters.
As for responding to "What do you do?"
Begin by introducing yourself clearly and the program you are studying or graduated from.
- Touch on specific academic or professional activities you enjoy. Offer 1 or 2 related areas of interest you'd like to explore over the next year.
- Then ask a similar question. Everyone appreciates someone who can smoothly toss the conversational 'ball' back and forth.
- Before you move onto the next person, ask for a business card.
- After the event, write a short note to each person you met referring to the party and an aspect of your conversation. Offer to stay in touch throughout the year. Then do.
With professionals coming together informally, the holidays are a great time to establish contacts at all levels that can develop into long standing connections that can last throughout your career.
Article by:
Elaine Balych, B.A., CCDP
Coordinator, Career Education/Career Development
Career Services, Mount Royal College