Although interviewing and hiring decisions may slow down during the year-end holidays, it is a great time to network.  People are usually in a pretty good mood, they are talking and mingling and eating and travelling; so there are lots of chances for informal and social networking (the old-fashioned kind of face to face social networking).  Take advantage of the holiday mood and spirit of congeniality to make new contacts and revatilize relationships that may have gotten stale or have been neglected.  You know by now that I love to convey my tips in lists, so here are 14 tips for successful holiday networking in a group setting: try them out - you'll be glad you did.

1. Don't go in cold. Research the event to get a sense of the level of the participants, identify specific individuals to meet, and be ready with some conversation starters.

2. Travel light. Dress professionally but don't disappear in a sea of black clothes. Carry only one item, bring lots of business cards and a small notepad.

3. Walk the walk. Keep your head up, smile, do not fold your arms.  Look like you're having a good time (and actually try to have one).

4. Start with food. Head to the refreshment table: people are more accessible around food.  Keep your right hand free for hand shaking.

5. Find out who's who. Circle the room once to scan name tags and faces and determine your key targets. Commit names to memeory so you don't have to stare at name tags.

6. Approach VIPs first. Don't wait until after the speakers speak - they will be swamped then.

7. Spot the lone wolves.  Sometimes it's easier to approach one individual than to break into a tight group. Keep smiling as you approach.

8. And you are? Say your name at the outset and repeat the other person's name. Ask others about their connection to the event or speaker. Comment on what the other person says before launching into comments about yourself.

9. Press the flesh. Be the first to extend your hand in a friendly matter, and shake hands good-bye unless it's awkward to do so.

10. Learn about others. Ask open ended questions to assess if/how someone can help you, express curiosity about others.  Be a personable individual first and a job seeker second.

11. Exchange business cards. Ask for others' cards first and then offer yours: it's less presumptuous.

12. Get an introduction. When you spot a key player get an introduction from a mutual acquaintance: it's an implicit endorsement.

13. Give and take. Offer to connect others with people they want to  meet at the event and later.  Others will return the favor. Become known as well-connected.  

14. It's a wrap. Assess how it went: did you meet at least a dozen new people or more? What are your follow-up plans? As your mother told you,  say good-bye and thank you to the sponsor of the event: you will be remembered for it. 

Give yourself a present  this holiday season: make some great new contacts and follow-up on those leads.  Happy holiday networking!