Your Networking Needs Intention
My old friend Abby called last week — she lost her job due to a downsizing.And while she wasn’t completely caught off guard, she wasn’t exactly prepared for a new job search, either.
Unfortunately, she’s not the exception. The sudden need to begin a job search happens to more people, more often than you may realize… and for any number of reasons.
A clinical trial may fail. A company merger goes less smoothly than expected. A change at the top makes new reporting structures less appealing. Whatever the cause, there is usually a fair amount of stress that results.
To safeguard against these unanticipated situations, I urge my coaching clients to consider networking an essential part of being a professional in their field.
Networking Takes Time and Effort
The best time to build and maintain your network is before you need it. Genuine relationship development doesn’t happen overnight.
But I bet you already knew that.
The problem is that when you are swamped with your “day job,” it is hard to find the time and energy to fit in an additional task. There is always something more urgent, whether it’s tying up the end of the quarter, launching a new software release, or handling an employee situation.
Plus, for many of us, the word “networking” conjures up images of standing uncomfortably alone at a formal event, trying desperately to think of something interesting to say to strangers. (Or is that just me?)
And even when we make the time and find it rewarding, it can be hard to keep the effort going for the long term; we may lose track of people we wish we’d kept in touch with. Despite our best intentions, we just didn’t make the relationship a priority.
Why is Networking So Valuable?
Professional relationships aren’t just useful during a job search or in a crisis — they’re essential all the time. We’re not built to work alone. Humans are social creatures and we need connection.
Spending time with someone helps both of you go beyond surface-level interactions. Maybe you both love mystery novels. Maybe your grandparents came over on the same boat from Ireland. Maybe you’re both into mountain biking. It doesn’t have to be all about work.
When people know what really matters to you, they think of you — with a career lead, a volunteer project, extra tickets to a Philadelphia Eagles football game (again, maybe that’s just me). And you get to do the same for them. There’s magic in that.
Things to Keep in Mind
Networking is what successful professionals do.
Think of networking as a core part of your job. It’s not optional — it’s essential.
And while I often hear from clients who say they don’t have time to build relationships (especially outside of work hours), the people with rich, rewarding networks don’t see it that way. They treat relationships as a real part of their professional life — without guilt.
Your outreach needs to repeat.
Networking is a lifestyle, not a one-time event. So bake it into your work week. Maybe you send one “stay-in-touch” email each day or schedule one coffee each week. Develop and maintain a rhythm that works for you.
Just make sure you are carving out time at least weekly to think about and do some outreach to those on your stay-connected list.
Find a system for tracking your efforts.
Once you become intentional about staying in touch with people, it helps to have a tool that will keep you on track. This can be as simple as a spreadsheet, a Google doc, or a basic CRM (I’m a fan of the cleverly-named, Less Annoying CRM) — whatever works best for your brain.
And yes, tracking is important. Without that, you really have no way of knowing who you are reaching and how often.
Don’t be transactional.
People can tell when you're only reaching out because you want something. And nothing shuts a door faster than feeling like a name on a to-do list.
Real networking is about genuine connection — show people you care, without an agenda. If someone you used to work with just got promoted or landed a new job and posted about it on LinkedIn, take 30 seconds to say congratulations. Don’t overthink it — just be sincere. These small moments of acknowledgment go a long way.
Show your face.
You don’t have to do it every week, but there’s a lot of value in person-to-person interactions.
For example, if you are a member of a professional organization, this is a perfect place to network with other people with similar interests and experiences (it’s a great way to learn new things, too).
At Thrive, we host quarterly coffee connects for women who have gone through our leadership program. I love these events because we all have something in common — there is always plenty to talk about and it’s easy!
Start Your Networking Habit Now
Networking is like exercise: The sooner you begin, the better the results over the long term. Plus, the more you do it, the easier and yes, enjoyable, it gets.
When approached with intention, and whether or not you are in search of a new job, networking is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your professional life.