Year End Networking

There are many opportunities for networking during this season as companies and associations hold year end social gatherings. Take advantage of these gatherings to talk with people in your company you haven't met yet or others related to your occupation or industry.

As you attend industry or other social gatherings:

• Recognize that attendees may be in your targeted network or may be able to connect you to others in your targeted network. Sometimes they may know of an opening and offer to pass on your resume to the person who's hiring (the best option) or to the human resource office.

• Use your 30 second sound byte/elevator speech to present a quick summary of what you are targeting and what you can offer a potential employer. Use this when you can introduce yourself to a group, or when you're asked, “How are things going?”, “What do you do?”, and “What kind of job are you looking for?” If people don't know what you are working towards, they can't help you.
• If you are openly searching, inform the networking group that you're conducting a job search and would appreciate information from folks in specific kinds of work roles. Be able to name occupations, job titles and industries. If you are not openly searching, indicate the areas you are curious about.
• Offer your business card at a meeting or event or a handbill at a job search support group.
• Thank those who helped you connect with more people in your target network or who said they'd pass on your resume to the hiring decision maker. Do this via email, a personal note, a business letter, voicemail or a phone call, depending on your preference.
• Add your new contacts to your records, and add the names and contact information of the people who referred you to those new contacts. Connect with them through networking sites like LinkedIn.

Check out the "Networking 101" Resource page on for additional tips on building connections.