Use the Season to Energize Your Network

I talked about using the holiday season to network toward your next job. Even if you are not currently considering a job change, keeping your network alive and vibrant is vital so it doesn't wither away. The holiday season is a great time to renew contacts with people in your network, and even extend your network with people you meet during the social events of the season. Some ideas for reviving your network include: Send holiday cards. This is a practice that is starting to feel the effects of email and instant messaging but remains a great way to keep in contact with people. Choose tasteful holiday cards and be sure to write a short note inside. You can write in your telephone number or email address at the bottom of the card, under the signature, to make sure the recipient has your correct contact information. If you have lost the mailing address for a contact, it is a good excuse to pick up the phone and call. That brings me to the second suggestion¦ Call your contacts. If you called a former supervisor to wish him/her a happy Fourth of July, you would be viewed as a nut, but calling to touch base and wish him a happy holiday is viewed as a thoughtful gesture. Make the most of the excuse the holidays provide to pick up the phone and just chat with someone. Use email as a starting point. The amount of humorous holiday emails that make the rounds is astounding. Most of us read it and then pass it on to people in our address book. Rather than doing a mass-forward, do a single forward with a personal note to your contact checking in and renewing the contact. For example, I recently received a video file that a friend emailed to me of a house decorated for Christmas with lights that flashed in time with a holiday selection from the Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was astounding to watch and I forwarded it to a contact of mine who works for Gaylord Entertainment. I knew he would find it more interesting than the average person because it related somewhat to his industry. I wrote a quick note to him about it and asked what new projects he was working on. The email resulted in a renewed contact and a possible new project. Leverage special events and performances. There are numerous free holiday performances and events to which you could invite a contact. A performance of a string quartet, an ice skating performance, or even a holiday luncheon make great opportunities for getting together with someone to renew contacts. Volunteer. During the holidays, many charities and service organizations seek volunteers to help with the increased work load. By volunteering, you can extend your network of contacts to new people who also volunteer to serve. Volunteering also provides an opportunity for getting groups together to perform community work. Organizing such an effort with put you in contact with many people not to mention raise your profile on the radar screens of potential employers. Renew your contacts this season, even if you are not considering a job change. Not only will it help you keep your network warm, but it may bring opportunities that you had not considered.