Dec1220081:54 pm

‘Tis the Season to Network

Perhaps the number of Holiday parties is inversely proportional to the degree of economic distress.  Perhaps events celebrating the Season are the best antidote to scary economic news reporting an onslaught of gigantic financial forces beyond our control…

This year it seems that I am receiving a great number of invitations to Holiday parties of varying types and in contrasting venues.  Most notable about these invitations is how many are billed as “networking” events.  The two that were in my email this morning were from vastly different but equally interesting nonprofits.   

            The first:
                        IPOA Stability Operations
                        Winter Networking Reception
                        The Tabard Inn

FYI: IPOA is the International Peace Operations Association.

Its members are the for profit security firms the U.S. government (and others) hire to do everything from protect diplomats to secure neighborhoods and deliver supplies in war zones.  IPOA was founded by Doug Brooks, a talented young man I hired when I worked at IIE many years ago.  We still get together for the occasional dinner to compare notes on our work.

Also this morning there is an invitation from the DC Young Professionals Chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy, “For a Holiday Networking and Social Event – A chance to enjoy a drink and holiday cheer with other young professionals in Foreign Affairs.”

Seth Green, the founder of Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) is one of 12 remarkable people Mark and I profiled in Working World.  Seth is one of several younger colleagues whose accomplishments and career advice we showcase in the book.  Learn more about AID at www.aidemocracy.org

This is a roundabout  way of reminding us all – particularly job seekers – that we are in the midst of one of the best possible times to network – to expand our circle of contacts and personal acquaintances.  So accept those invitations and keep business cards at the ready.  Then proceed to do what is done infrequently – follow-up.  Contact one or two new people you met and suggest coffee.  Even if they are also job seekers, you can be on the look out for opportunities for each other.

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