Don't let your job search lag over the holidays

Here are some ideas to keep your job search from being derailed by the holidays:

• While everyone else is out celebrating the season, you may be able to gain the upper hand, by continuing your job search.  The human resource departments still work over the holidays, so there may be a perfect opportunity for you to get noticed. Everyone needs extra help over the holidays, prove indispensable and youve a good chance of being kept on.
• Are you able to provide value to someone else - can you teach them something or show someone a new skill?  If so, it could turn into a new job.
• When you network are you offering a personal business card with your contact information on it?
• With so many holiday parties happening, networking is at it's finest. Be prepared to enter the conversation with useful industry information and if the conversation path leads to you sharing that you are looking for employment, let it flow - but in a positive light. Keep things upbeat!
• Starting a conversation with someone can be intimidating. You might use this model - FORM - Family, Occupation, Recreation, Message - ask questions about these topics to start a conversation.  When it comes around to the occupation - there is your chance to mention that you are looking for a new one.  But remember, it isn't all about you, it is about the person to whom you are speaking.  Take time to listen.
• Should you mention that you are looking for work when you send your holiday cards? Perhaps it might be best to keep the greeting just that - a greeting.  BUT, you can take the opportunity after the holiday to "catch up" or network with those on your holiday card list to say that you are seeking new employment.
• When you are networking through the holidays have some "gives" prepared, so you have something to offer, not just "takes."
• Volunteer - not just during the holidays, but regularly.  It is an opportunity to keep your skills sharp and you never know who else is involved.  They may be in a job offering position.

Thanks to tweetchat.com #careerchat for the inspiration for this article. Here is another link related to this topic: http://ht.ly/3edgW

So what are your job search (or other) plans for the holidays?

A Handshake & A Business Card

Networking these days means different things to different age groups.  Babyboomers still think of networking as the group of people at one location who were called together because of a common interest - like a chamber of commerce meeting, professional organization, a mixer, or a group of like-minded individuals.

Gen Y (born 1970 - 2000) thinks of networking as Facebook, LinkedIn, tweet-ups and all internet based forms of "networking".

Both are valid frames of reference, but let's for the sake of this blog article look at what you can do with a handshake and a business card.

After recently attending a face-to-face networking event, I returned to my office with a handful of business cards that I had personally spent a few minutes discussing the person's business with them.  I learned a bit about what they do, what their company does, where it is located, whether it is local or international, and what benefits my organization could provide for their organization.

They in turn found out about me, what I do, what my agency does, that we are locally based with "sister" organizations located nationally, and that we have programs that could benefit their company's human resource bottom line.

Using those business cards, I will see if I am able to make a connection through the social media networking paths I use.  This has afforded me the best of both worlds of networking - on-line connections and a handshake and business card.

This method is effective not only for business and sales efforts, but for those in the job hunt.  Seek out events where you can meet individuals from a company in which you are interested.  Ask about the organization, the corporate culture, they types of career paths available, how the person likes working for the company.  If they aren't the human resources person, they may know the person.  If you make the next step to linking with your new contact on an on-line professional network, you have just established an opportunity to reach out to the human resources person.

If you would like to read more about in-person networking link here.

What form of networking do you prefer and why?

14 square inches of space

How often do you see in the paper an event advertised that is taking place in your community where businesses will be represented.  If there is a small fee for admission or no cost for admission, you might want to make sure that you attend the event.  It is a perfect networking opportunity.

If, for example, the cost of admission is a business card, you should be prepared.  Just because you may not be currently employed, does not mean that you cannot have a business card.  In fact, it is a perfect opportunity to use 14 square inches of space to your advantage.

Office supply stores sell business card stock as do many discount retailers.  Software programs are available with templates for business cards, or you can create one very simply in Microsoft Word if you know some of the basics.  Use the front side of the card to provide your basic contact information that should include name, address, phone(s), email, website address (if you have one), and a link to any of the other social media sites you are using to network for your job search.  A job title that would normally appear on a corporate business card would be replaced with your area of expertise, for example, Marketing Coordinator as an exact title could become a simple switch to Marketing Professional or Social Media Specialist depending upon what direction you wish to pursue.

Use the back side of the card to list your skills in bullet format using action verbs where possible. For example using our Marketing Coordinator position and skill set:

• Instructor for social media formats
• Graphic designer in multiple formats
• Editor for e-news and blog
• Creative writing
• Editorial writing
• Photographer

If you have portfolio type items, include a link to an on-line portfolio where contacts you meet can view your work.  If you need additional assistance creating a resume, enlist the assistance of a Career Resource Professional at an Illinois workNet Center near you.  To find other resume resources, visit http://www.kcdee.org/