Summer networking opens doors to career opportunities

Most jobseekers consider summer as the ìoff seasonî for job hunting and place their career aspirations on hold until the Fall. However, summer social gatherings, formal or casual, can provide the ultimate career boosting networking opportunities.



According to JillXan Donnelly, president of CareerWomen.com, ìSummer events tend to be more casual so most job seekers donít consider them appropriate venues for networking. The most important thing to remember is that the rules of engagement are slightly different during the summer, but the results can lead to great opportunities.î

How do you turn summer socials into career prospects? CareerWomen.com suggests the following tips for successful summer networking.

1) First impressions count
Be mindful of the image you are projecting. Make sure you are well dressed, well groomed, and on your best behavior. Most importantly, donít forget your business cards.

2) Be interesting and inquisitive
Summer barbecues and weekends at the beach are great for casual interactions. Remember to show a genuine interest in the person by asking open-ended questions that can lead to a great conversation.

3) Be casual when following up
Summer is a great time to build your network, so follow up should be casual, not forceful. One ìthank youî email or phone call is sufficient and can open the door to another point of contact at another time.

Additional resources to enhance professional development and advance womenís careers can be found at www.CareerWomen.com including career development tools, career and employment news, professional associations and employment opportunities across the US with some of the best women-friendly companies.