Sure, summer vacation is an excellent time to recharge your batteries while enjoying some downtime from the daily grind, but, in today’s socially-connected age, it is smart to at least keep partially connected to the office. That time spent on the beach won’t be as fondly remembered if you missed a great networking opportunity while enjoying the sand and fresh air.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three networking tips to allow your vacation time to be both restful and productive.
Don’t Forget your Business Cards
Even when on vacation, you never know who you’ll meet. A new sales opportunity, a hiring manager at a top notch engineering firm in your area, or even a former co-worker — an opportunity for business networking can come out of nowhere. Always having a supply of business cards at the ready is a must, no matter your location.
Consider Vacationing in an Area of Business Interest
While a family vacation isn’t generally a time for business, that doesn’t mean you can’t kill two birds with one stone — so to speak. Consider vacationing in an area where you want to enhance your networking circle or even a spot for a potential relocation. Getting a feel for a location while on vacation allows the entire family to experience the surrounding area in a relatively stress-free situation.
Don’t make reconnoitering the focus of your trip, but also don’t miss the opportunity for some casual networking if the situation warrants it.
Find the Time for Networking Online
Even while on vacation, it is a good idea to spend a small amount of time each day networking online, if possible. It is important to stay somewhat tethered to the happenings out in the “real” world, and 20 minutes per day is probably enough to properly keep up to date. Leverage any Cloud-based apps and storage used by your company to keep track of work.
If you need any additional advice on networking strategies while on vacation, contact the experienced STEM recruiters at Scientific Search. As one of the top STEM staffing agencies on the east coast, we can assist you in your current job search. Schedule some time with our expert recruiters today!
