This is the time of year where we attend many gatherings. We may get together with family, friends, neighbors, our kids’ holiday parties or school, work events, ours or our partners’. In any case, it is an opportunity to talk with new people or people we don’t otherwise often see. This is a golden opportunity to network while enjoying time with family and friends. Let people know you are ready to get back to work. Talk about your skills, what you want to do and don’t forget to ask if they know anyone. Remember to listen and not be the one doing all the talking…

It never hurts to do some homework, if possible, so that you can try to target the people you should make sure to talk with. For example, your cousin Maggie, who also took time off, and went back to work this year, would be a great person to chat with and learn about her experience and the strategies that she found most effective.  And your aunt’s dear friend, who recently started her own company, just may be your next job contact.

You may want to take the time and think about the industries that appeal to you, and try and identify if any of the guests work for a company in that field.

If you are going to your kids’ holiday parties or school event, try and think about the other parents and where they may be working.

If you are going to a work event with your partner, sit with your partner in advance and try to identify people you should talk with. People who work with them and may have worked somewhere you are interested in, or someone’s partner.

You can do some research on LinkedIn to learn about the people attending and their contacts.

Now you are at a holiday social event, so don’t over do it. You want to start building a relationship, have memorable conversations and open the door to follow up meetings. Keep it natural, don’t over-sell it, and make sure that you are also enjoying the gathering.

It is a great opportunity to practice your elevator pitch, how you introduce yourself. If you need help to get started, you can watch Deb Elbaum’s webinar “Planning to return to work? What you need to consider”, where she provides guidance. Have a few different versions of your elevator pitch that will include a little bit about you and your experience, how people can help you, what you are looking for etc., that you can use depending on who you are talking with.

Don’t forget quality and not quantity. You are better off having a few valuable conversations than many quick and unmemorable hellos. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the holidays!

Happy Holidays from the IamBackatWork team!

Miki Feldman Simon, Founder & CEO IamBackatWork