What’s on your list of “must-haves” for Thanksgiving?
Is it turkey or maybe cranberry sauce? How about a pair of “stretchy pants” that allows you to eat as much as you want and still be comfortable? Big-screen TV to watch your favorite team?
All good choices, I must admit.
May I suggest a few other things to add to your list?
- Business cards.
- A well-rehearsed elevator speech.
- A couple of success stories to tell, just in case the opportunity arises.
- A positive attitude about your job, career, or job search. Even if you’re in a slump.
While the holiday is a great day for eating, relaxing and watching football, it can also be a networking opportunity.
Think I’m nuts?
You never know who’s going to show up for dinner. Sometimes dad or Aunt Sue or even the next door neighbor who came to watch the game may have connections.
A similar situation happened to me at Halloween. A neighbor hosted a party in her front yard to give away candy. Several of us came to participate. In between Trick-or-Treaters, we were all talking and one person mentioned she was looking for a job.
As luck would have it, I had just learned of a job that fit her credentials. We exchanged information, the next day I connected her with the hiring manager and she lined up an interview.
Sometimes connections happen when we least expect it. Like holidays with family and strangers.
Bring your business cards to Thanksgiving dinner, along with a thankful attitude for everything you already have.
You never know what might happen.
Like Tami, I was terminated once (By my best friend, BTW – he is now on the board of the agency I lead, so I got him back – ha!), but you don’t have to be unemployed to learn something from this book. 
