December 1, 2009

Holidays are no time to slack off on networking

• Post a comment |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

OK, the leftover turkey's gone, the Seahawks are toast, the Christmas lights are hung - you're officially out of excuses for avoiding the resumption of your job search activities.

"But it's December!" I hear you cry. "Everyone's too busy holding holiday parties or laying off people to even think about hiring."

Au contraire, say many career counseling experts. Because many job seekers unwittingly believe that the business world shuts down between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, this may be the best time to accelerate your job search efforts, while the competition is easing up. While it's true that hiring managers tend to be reluctant to hire before the end of the year, many already have their budgets approved for the start of the new year. Those who put in a little elbow grease in the coming weeks may get a head start on new job opportunities for 2010.

This busy holiday season is chock full of office parties and other frivolous gatherings, but there are still a few serious networking events in the next several days to help get you back into the proper job-hunting spirit.

Tues., Dec. 1
Bellevue Career Fair - Dozens of employers will be on hand hiring for all types of positions at this event at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue. For a list of companies who will be participating, plus some tips about making the most of your job fair experience, register at the National Career Fairs page. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: Free.

Mon., Dec. 7
Job Seeker Network: Organize Your Career Search - This month's meeting at the Mercer Island Library will feature a presentation by Debbie Rosemont, a "certified professional organizer" with the placement firm Simply Placed, who will offer tips on organizing your home office, your action and reference files, your networking activities, your e-mail and your time. Hours: 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. Admission: Free.

Tues., Dec. 8
Seattle Social Media Club - In what is being billed as its "biggest meet-up yet," the December event at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond will include a conversation with noted technology enthusiast Veronica Belmont, who will speak about how social media can build a more engaged community. Hours: Program begins at 6 p.m. Admission: $15, which includes appetizers and drinks.

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.

• Post a comment |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Read more

0 Comments

Leave a comment

* required field

Your name: *

E-mail address: (Will not be displayed)

Your comment: *

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.