With friends’ parties and office parties (however scaled back this year) on your calendar, this is the perfect time to take inventory of your networking toolbox. Successful navigation of a holiday party means not only avoiding the tipsy coworker at the copy machine but also discovering what you have in common with the other people in the room.  And when you find that something in common, you should stay in touch.  So how do you do that?

Exchange cards.

What?  You don’t have a card?

Don’t be the person scribbling your contact info on the back of a cocktail napkin.  We’ve all been guilty of it from time to time, but it does come across as sloppy and unprepared - never a good look.  Didn’t you know you’d be attending this event and meeting folks?  Of course you did.  Come prepared.

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