Estimated Runtime: ~7 minutes
The biggest networking mistake people make: they only network when they need
something. A job, a favor, an introduction. That's not networking — that's
transacting. And people can smell it. True networking is a lifelong practice of
building genuine relationships, sharing value, and being part of a professional
community.
Connect, cultivate, contribute. Connecting means continually meeting new people.
Set a goal — one new coffee chat per week, one industry event per month, one
online community you actively engage in. Cultivating means maintaining those
relationships. Set reminders. Send articles. Congratulate promotions. It takes
two minutes to send a LinkedIn message that keeps a relationship warm for
another six months. Contributing means creating value for others without
expecting anything in return. Make introductions. Share opportunities. Offer
your expertise. Givers build the strongest networks because people want to help
people who help them.
Your network needs to remember you exist. Share your expertise on LinkedIn — not
self-promotion, genuine knowledge sharing. Comment on others' posts. Celebrate
colleagues' achievements. When someone in your network thinks of your area of
expertise, your name should come to mind. That's visibility. And it's what turns
a network into a career safety net.
Right now, think of three people you haven't spoken to in six months. Send them
a message today. No agenda, just reconnection. The strongest career asset isn't
your resume — it's the people who will vouch for you. Next lesson — adapting to
industry changes and future-proofing your career.