#JobSearch : 5 Hacks For Holiday Networking, Especially For Those Who Hate It. The Holidays Are the Best Time for Networking. Great REad!

Yes, the holidays are a time of joy, peace and well wishes, but they can also bring stress particularly in and around the workplace. In addition to completing performance reviews and other year end activities, there are tons of social events and holiday celebrations as well. While this avalanche of quasi-coerced socialization along with pressing year-end requests can feel stressful, CEO and Founder of the executive networking and professional development group Athena Alliance, Coco Brown reminds us that this time truly offers a unique and valuable opportunity to take steps to position ourselves for stronger relationships and enhanced success in the new year.

“The holidays are the best time for networking since people are in a relaxed and festive mood, feeling more generous and sociable than normal,” explains Coco Brown. “Learning how to leverage personal connections, especially with people you don’t know that well, can help job seekers bring their careers to the next level.”

Break out of your bubble

While it may feel safer and easier to rely on your own inner circle, Brown warns against making that classic mistake. Instead, she suggests taking advantage of opportunities to spend time with people you wouldn’t normally connect with. “Often we lean into our closest friends or colleagues when we’re trying to network into a new job opportunity, but research suggests that doing the opposite can actually be hugely beneficial,” she explains. “The term for this is ‘the strength of weak ties,’ and taking advantage of our weaker social connections can be hugely advantageous when we’re looking to find our next job opportunity.”

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Share your gratitude – and your goal

As the year winds down, most professionals naturally begin reflecting on their goals. It’s a great time to take stock of where you are compared to where you want to be—to ask yourself if you’re really on the right track or just spinning your wheels. Brown suggests using this time to actively connect with professionals who are now where you strive to be.

“They’ve been in your shoes, are often willing to help, and have the network in place that made it happen for them,” she says. “Ask questions to learn from their journey, then clearly articulate your goal and make the ask. Do they have any tips or insights they learned on their journey? Do they have any connections who may move the needle for you? Do they know of any open opportunities that may be a fit?” Don’t be afraid to seize the opportunity to gain critical insight from those who have successfully blazed the path you’re seeking.

Know your value and lead with it

Brown reminds us to approach the holidays with a mindset shift, focusing on our unique value and leaning into that during networking interactions. “This isn’t arrogance, it’s knowing what you bring to the table and having confidence in your ability to execute it,” she explains. “Think of your value proposition like an elevator pitch… you should be able to convey it in 60 to 90 seconds: it should sound practiced yet natural, like something you can easily slip into a conversation between sips of egg nog. Be prepared with stories that speak to your leadership and how you’ve shaped the companies you’ve worked at.” It’s nice towards the end of the year to not just reflect on what you’ve accomplished but also who you’ve become and how you’ve grown. Take this time to become more comfortable amplifying the unique talents and abilities that you bring to any opportunity.

Think about what you can do for others

While it can be tempting to approach networking situations with a focus on what you can gain, it’s often more effective long term to also consider what you can give. The most reliable relationships tend to be reciprocal ones so spend some time thinking about how you might be able to be a resource or support system for others. “I guarantee that by focusing on how you can help those around you advance their careers or find their next job opportunities, you will be repaid tenfold,” she insists. “Plant the seeds of generosity in those around you and then sit back and watch them grow.”

Refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile

Thankfully, December usually brings some downtime as well. Things tend to be quieter since so many colleagues are on vacation, and there tend to be fewer meetings and deliverables so it can be a great time to focus on some of those “important, but not urgent” tasks that tend to get pushed aside during more hectic times. Brown suggests using this time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. “Take a fresh look at your resume and your LinkedIn profile with your future goals in mind,” she suggests. “Spend some time connecting with new people on LinkedIn who work in industries that you’re interested in, even if they’re not industries you have firsthand experience in. Think creatively about how the experience you do have can lend itself well to the experiences you want and weave that into your resume.”

While the holidays can be stressful, the last few weeks of the year can offer a healthy opportunity to reflect, recharge and reconnect. Networking is so much more than showing up at an event. Use these tips to broaden and deepen your professional network and hit the ground running in 2023.

Forbes.com | December 9, 2022 | Dana Brownlee