Meeting people at all the holiday events? As you network during this holiday season, remember to:

• Be authentic when making connections. Superficial conversations are not interesting and will not lead to meaningful connections.
• Don’t focus too much on your elevator pitch, you want to introduce yourself effectively, but you also want to build a relationship. Ask good questions and build a conversation.
• Don’t think just about how you can be helped. Thinking about how you can help them will get you further.
• Get their business card so that you can follow up with them later.
• Follow up after the meeting:
  • Continue to build the relationship with them.
  • Connect with them on LinkedIn if you are not already connected
  • Did they offer to help? Tell them you appreciated their help in …
  • If you promised to do something for them, do it.
  • Update them when you get the job, people like to keep in touch and hear about the results.

Learn about the 9 networking errors you should avoid and network your way to a new job.

Miki Feldman Simon, Founder & CEO IamBackatWork