Use parties and other festive opportunities to your advantage for job hunting

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Have I mentioned how great it is to turn to a terrific social network for ideas to share with you? Yes – I guess I have! Today, advice about job hunting during the holidays from two terrific experts who both write for About.com…Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago….

Alison Doyle, author of About.com’s guide to job searching suggests:
View every holiday event you attend as a networking opportunity and accept all the invitations you receive, both personal and professional. You never know who may be able to help. Friends and family, as well as business acquaintances are typically more than happy to assist. A word of warning – don’t overindulge. You don’t want to be remembered as the guest who had one too many drinks.

Andrea Santiago, a medical recruiter and author of About.com’s guide to health careers reminds her readers that the holidays are a prime time for networking. She suggests keeping at your search by focusing on these possibilities:

Travel – You never know who could be standing next to you in the security line or sitting in the seat next to you on the plane! Be prepared to strike up a conversation.
Parties and Gatherings – Be prepared to meet new people, no matter if you’re gathering at your Aunt’s house, your in-laws, or at a friend’s holiday party. Remember, the people you meet don’t even necessarily have to work in the healthcare industry in order to be valuable contacts.
Down Time – Depending on your travel and celebration plans, you may have more down-time than usual during the holidays. If you have extra time off from school or even from a current job if you’re employed, or downtime in between travels or waiting to board a plane, use this time to do some on-line networking, or maybe read a helpful book.

For much more advice about job searching during the holidays…

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching? If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by trazomfreak