TIME OF YEAR TO REFLECT.. AND NETWORK
For many people the end of the year and the holidays are a time to reflect on the year, and their career situation. Many people update their resumes whether they are looking for a new job or not just as a way to figure out where they are at with their career, document new accomplishments, figure out areas they want to develop, and set goals for the next year. I think this is a good idea. Something else that I think is a good idea is networking. This is a time of year that we travel, we go out more in the evenings, we are out at the stores, we go to parties, and meet a lot of different people. These are great opportunities to network and create new friends and contacts. Find out who you are sitting next to on a plane, learn more about the person in front of you or behind you in line, learn who your server is at the restaurant you’re eating at. You’d be surprised who the people are around you, and what doors can be opened. I went to a conference a couple years ago and not only got a lot out of the conference, I picked up a new business contact which subsequently led to a job order and new client from striking up a conversation with the person sitting next to me on the plane home. Strike up a conversation with the people around you by asking them what they do and showing a genuine curiosity about them. Let them tell you their story and you’d be surprised and what great things will come your way! You just might find yourself with a job offer or business opportunity going into next year!
