Following on from my last post about building a network (click here if you want a reminder), here is my journey in maintaining it. A professional network can feel like a friendship group growing apart. You are aware of each other’s progress, but gradually you get more and more distant. There are fewer meet ups; you don’t call/text as often, and eventually it gets so quiet that it feels weird to reach out. So, now I am left in this weird place, that I want to keep reasonable meaningful connections and to not feel weird when asking for a favour. Here are my current learnings on maintaining a network.
Continue building to help maintain it
This sounds counterintuitive, but continuing to put effort in growing the network will help with maintaining it. My theory is that, where you go to make new interactions, you evaluate the new ones and the old ones. This helps you see if they are serving you in the way, you want them to. Platonically, you might want to keep people around who listen to you, you enjoy the company of, or who you feel understand you. Professionally, there might be no platonic overlap, or there might be some to keep some rapport going. Also, they may lead an interesting career, or engage in projects that you like, so you want to stay in the loop.
When you evaluate your connections, regularly, you remove those that don’t match your values and encourage those that do. I am not saying you should contact them every week or so, but reach out occasionally. Don’t overdo it, you are not trying to make friends, but mutual colleagues.
How I use my network
The aim of maintaining a network is to have mutual professional connections, to broaden your exposure to the industry. How you use those connections is up to you. I have used my network for support during job applications, to engage in conferences easier and to complete complex projects. I also returned the favour to my network whenever I could help, because it’s a mutual connection to help and support each other professionally. Well, that’s how I choose to keep my network.
A member of my network, who I occasionally connect with, reached out to me to take part in a podcast. It was a fun experience and gave me an idea of how some podcast episodes are created. I got to meet new people, who shared different perspectives on our discussion topics and gave tips of other networks I can connect with. If I hadn’t made the effort to maintain this connection, they wouldn’t have invited me on their podcast, and that was a great experience for me. Also, a note, this same connection was one I approached in my job search and helped me get to the final stage of interviews for their company. I didn’t get the job, but having that connection, introduced me to new people, and exposed me further within my industry.
*The podcast is on Spotify, however, since it gives away where I work, I won’t share that here. If you decide to look, then I won’t stop you*
How I maintain my network
It does look really weird if you approach a member of your network for help, but have never interacted with them, since you first met. So, how do you go about maintaining the connections?
Maybe comment on a post, or open some dialogue based on something they have mentioned. If you are genuinely interested, and enjoy that persons presence (excluding the benefit they can bring you), you will keep that network open. With the network connections I am eager to maintain, I am in contact with them every few months or so. This could be through emails, meeting at conferences or the occasional LinkedIn message. Making the effort to reach out is respectful and professional, especially if you have connections with influential people.
Too Long; Didn’t read TLDR
- Build the network that works for you, and it will return
- Occasionally check in (don’t overdo it), and interact with their news/posts on LinkedIn or at conferences.
- How you use your network is up to you, but make it count.
- Who knows what will come from your network? – I ended up on a podcast.
