How to Successfully Network at Christmas Parties

While Christmas parties are the perfect occasion to let your hair down and truly celebrate the festive season, they also serve as a great opportunity to network and meet professionals in your chosen field.

You may be attending a family friend’s house party, or a small business event in your local area – either of which could just unlock the door to future career prospects thanks to chance meetings.

Here are some key tips to network your way to your dream graduate job at an upcoming Christmas party:

Strike the balance

While you’re fully entitled to get into the full swing of the festivities, keep in mind that first impressions count when it comes to improving your career prospects. You never know who you may bump into at any given moment, who could potentially shape your professional journey in the future.

Therefore, the way you present yourself choice of conversation can both leave a lasting impact and influence how others perceive you. While chatting, always show curiosity about others’ experiences, listen intently and seek common ground outside of the business world to make genuine connections. After all, it’s the connections built on a personal level that create a solid groundwork for long-lasting professional relationships.

Think about body language

Keep in mind that the way you carry yourself speaks volumes about your thoughts and emotions at any given moment. Plus, it can even indicate who you truly are.

With this in mind, aim to maintain an open posture, as this will show that you’re friendly and approachable, as opposed to crossed arms which can be perceived as defensive. Give firm, confident handshakes and good eye contact during conversations. A warm smile can also make others feel comfortable in your company.

Remember, that the key is to always be authentic in your body language and shouldn’t come across too forced. Just allow your natural self to shine through.

Share your contact details

Talk openly about your aspirations and experiences to showcase a more well-rounded perspective of your character. When asked about yourself, you could give a brief overview of your 5-year plan, or even the interesting path you have taken to reach your current position.

Once you have got into the flow of conversation, take a proactive step by exchanging contact details. Given the likelihood that you may not bump into one another again, sharing your phone number, email address, or LinkedIn profile ensures that the individual will remember you in the weeks following a party, and may get in contact should a suitable opportunity arise. This simple act can transform a brief interaction into a potential opening for future professional opportunities.

Final note…

During the festive period, go ahead and register Inspiring Interns. We have a wide range of graduate job roles available within a variety of sectors including Design, Finance, Sales, Business, Marketing and more. We’ll help you create your very own video CV to send to employers and even guide you with re-writing your CV and interview skills. Keen to get started? Register today.