Two simple actions to keep the power of your network alive

If you’re like most people you start to think about your network when you need to go to the job market.

Why wouldn’t you? Around 50% of jobs are filled through or with the help of networks.

So why do you then forget about it?

For most people, they then forget about their network until the next time they need to go to the job market.

This is understandable, but also a bit of a mistake when it’s so easy to keep in touch, especially on platforms such as LinkedIn.

Keeping in touch with people, nurturing your network, has so many benefits. It helps you plan and set up future career steps, keep up to date with what’s happening in the market place, contribute to discussions, help other people, and much more.

Actions

One of the biggest objections is that it will take up too much time and effort, but it doesn’t have to. Just do a little bit every week.

When you have a spare couple of minutes (for example while the kettle’s boiling, when you’re on the train to or from work, during a break or while waiting for someone), make a point of doing one of the following:

• Drop a quick email to someone you haven’t been in touch with for a while
• Look through your LinkedIn contacts and drop a message to someone you haven’t been in touch with for a while.

In either case, it doesn’t have to be anything big. Maybe just along the lines of “Hi [name], I haven’t been in touch for a while and thought I’d drop you a quick note to say Hi and ask how things are going”.

Obviously, you can add a bit of personal detail if you want, but just that simple message will get you out there.

Further Resources

If you haven’t got a LinkedIn profile, book a discovery session and I’ll give you a few pointers. If you want to go into more depth we can then go on to book a coaching session.