Build and Maintain Your Professional Network

Many people focus on professional networking to start or advance their careers. Knowing the right people can play an important role in what your next job will be. However, a key ingredient to professional networking people forget about is maintaining those relationships.

Often, many people fail to stay connected with people they build great rapport with.  Dorie Clark, a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review says “if you’re not staying in touch with people from your past, you’re cutting off a lot of potential opportunities.”

Let’s look at practical steps you can take to not only expand your network but how you can keep it alive.

Who Should Be In Your Network?

You may not realize it, but even if you have not been actively building your professional network, you probably already have a solid list. Here are some people who can be on it:

Friends and Family

Current and Former Classmates

Current and Former Coworkers and Supervisors

Members of Clubs or Professional Associations

Current and Former Professors and Faculty at your school

Find networking events, conferences, panel discussions on topics that interest you or volunteer! These are a few ways to meet new people who you’ll already have a shared interest with.

Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself, have a genuine interest in them and ask questions to find common ground to bond over.  Get their contact information so you can follow up on your conversation. Ask them to meet you over coffee so you can dive deeper into their professional career path. It will also give you a chance to share your goals and ask for advice.

Keep your Network Active

People will not hesitate to help you if you have an established relationship and make an effort to maintain it.

1. Create an excel database: As you continue building your network it can become difficult to remember everyone you want to make sure you stay in contact with. Keep track of contact and career information, some fun facts about them, maybe even their birthday! This will help you remember important details about them that you can reference later.

2. Establish a system for reaching: An important question is how often will you reach out? Reaching out to someone quarterly is typically the most popular option. Keep an eye out for articles about topics your connection cares about. Don’t hesitate to send it their way, and let them know you are thinking about them! Share your accomplishments with them, and remind them how their advice is impacting your life.

3. Use Linkedin: Keep up with their career advancements, and ‘like’ their posts to let them know you are keeping up with their activity. It is also a good idea for you to regularly post and share so that you remain in their radar.

For networking to be successful, a real relationship needs to be built, but remember, building a professional network is useless if you are not maintaining those relationships.