With up to 85% of jobs found through networking, holiday parties offer an excellent venue for growing and maintaining your network. These festive occasions allow you to: 

• Get the word out that you are job seeking

• Learn more about specific positions or fields

• Uncover job leads

• Gather information about specific companies

• Get referrals and introductions to other individuals and organizations

• Strengthen the relationships you already have

If you're in a job search, be prepared to discuss what type of work you are seeking, what companies you're interested in, and share a brief pitch of your skills and accomplishments. Let the conversation flow naturally. Be positive and upbeat.

If you're not looking for a new job, it's still important to keep your network apprised of what you're doing professionally. For example, are there any new projects you're working on or just recently finished? Did you land a new contract? Ask what they're working on. Follow up with an email letting your contacts know it was good catching up with them. Contact a month or two later for coffee or lunch.

Remember, if you want to have an effective network, you need to stay in contact on a regular basis. That way when you are looking for work, the job search process will be much easier.

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