The approaching holiday season provides new professionals and law students with multiple opportunities to make new contacts and deepen relationships that already exist. To make the most of these events, use these strategies:<\/p>\n
Attend every holiday Zoom party and reception to which you are invited. Holiday get-togethers are important opportunities for you to connect with colleagues, clients and even potential future employers. As soon as an electronic invitation arrives, R.S.V.P. indicating that you will attend. (Once you have conveyed your intent to attend, only an absolute emergency excuses your absence.) If several events have been scheduled on a single day, make a virtual appearance at as many as possible.<\/p>\n
Keep communications festive. Holiday Zoom parties are intended to be happy, social gatherings. They are not the time to press for feedback, lodge a complaint or ask for a job. Be prepared to congratulate others on their 2020 accomplishments. If party chit-chat is not your forte, ask others about their holiday plans and demonstrate a genuine interest in what they say.<\/p>\n
Use holiday Zoom events to build your network. Look for opportunities to meet people who you don\u2019t know well. Before the event, prepare five questions that you can ask virtually anyone, for example:\u00a0What\u2019s been the most challenging thing about working\/studying from home? What\u2019s been the biggest upside to working from home? I\u2019ve been trying to sneak in some extra exercise. What are you doing to keep moving, especially now that it\u2019s cold?<\/em><\/p>\n Send holiday greetings to all of your contacts. This is a great way to place your name in front of others one more time before the year ends. To the extent that you take time to add a personal note\u2014one or two sentences will suffice\u2014you will become more memorable.<\/p>\n Use the winter break to reconnect with others with whom you have lost track as well as people you have always wanted to know but haven\u2019t yet met. Many organizations experience their quietest time of year between Christmas and New Year\u2019s Day. Key decision makers, especially those who have chosen not to take a vacation, may have more time than usual to connect with you. Take a risk this holiday season and reach out to at least one person who you have always wanted to meet but haven\u2019t. A single meeting request may turn into a new opportunity.<\/p>\n Strategies for Anyone Who Will Holiday Solo<\/strong><\/p>\n With medical experts recommending that we forego family holiday gatherings this year, a large number of your internal clients may spend their holidays alone.\u00a0 Isolation is always mentally and emotionally challenging.\u00a0 This year it is likely to be felt more intensely.<\/p>\n