Networking for the Holidays

Over the years of supporting people in job transition, I’ve constantly heard people take the position that they can relax a bit on their networking activities because no one is hiring during the holidays. Whoa! Nothing could be further than the truth! 

While the actual process of people starting new positions may slow a bit during November and December, the holiday season is probably one of the BEST times to be out networking for opportunities. 

Last week, we posed the question of networking more during the holidays to our Crossroads Guides, and we thought you might find it useful to hear their responses.

Angela Patterson, a Crossroads board member, Guide Coach, and Crossroads leader at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, had the idea of compiling the ‘Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Network During the Holidays.’ For those of you old enough to remember Dave Letterman’s Top Ten Lists, we decided to utilize his format to share these with you today.

(Press the button to play whatever festive music you like while you read through the list!)

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Network During the Holidays

#10 – The holidays create a festive atmosphere, and people are generally more open and approachable. 

#9 – Budgets open in January so now is the time to ramp into the hiring cycle.

#8 – With holiday gatherings, formality decreases quite a bit and barriers get broken down.

#7 – More people are available for meetings, coffee, etc.

#6 – Holiday events provide a terrific opportunity to let people know you’re exploring new possibilities. 

#5 – Other job seekers aren’t networking because they’re taking time off, or they don’t realize the benefits this time of year brings.

#4 – The very causes for the holidays (Thanksgiving – gratefulness, and Christmas – Jesus’ birth), actualize people to be more charitable and giving.

#3 – By not taking a break, you won’t lose any momentum you’ve gained up to this point.

#2 – Many companies are trying desperately to fill open positions that have lagged getting filled – – help them accomplish their objective!

#1 – (Drumroll please) Point people to Jesus! ‘Tis the season for a very natural conversation that can turn to faith.

Ok, hopefully, you get the point. Get out there and make it happen! Now’s the time. Just do it! Etc. Etc. 

‘Tis the Season

Hmmm, any Scriptures to support this point of view? My first inclination goes to the book of Ecclesiastes where King Solomon gives us this wisdom in chapter 3:1- 2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;”  

A time to network through the holidays, and a time to abstain from such networking…Nah, that’s not in there. 

Solomon’s point here is that everything in life has times to press in and times to pull back. We can’t be on the go all the time, nor should we just sit back and live a life of leisure. 

So while there’s certainly nothing wrong with taking a break from networking and enjoying holiday time with family and friends, don’t be misguided by myths from the past. The holidays are a GREAT time for networking – – ’tis the season!   

Blessings!

Dave

Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.

Are you Unemployed or Unfulfilled in your career? We would love to help you by setting up a time to talk to someone who can provide a complimentary consultation for personalized career assistance. Just click the Connect with a Crossroads Guide link below:

Connect with a Crossroads Guide