One of the most valuable assets you can build over the course of your career isn’t something you’ll find on a résumé or a balance sheet. It’s your network — the people who know you, like you, trust your and are willing to take your call, make an introduction or simply say, “I’ve got your back.”
Here are a few tips for nurturing your professional network like a well-tended garden.
Start with LinkedIn
Take a fresh look at your LinkedIn profile. Is it current? Does it accurately reflect what you’re doing now and where you want to go next? Consider asking a few trusted colleagues or former supervisors for recommendations, especially people who can be specific about your strengths and contributions.
Then be intentional about connecting. You don’t need hundreds of new contacts, but a handful of meaningful ones can make a real difference. Join a few relevant interest groups. Share an article you found useful. Post a professional milestone or accomplishment. Focus on quality, not quantity.
Acknowledge others’ achievements
Networking isn’t just about putting yourself out there; it’s also about paying attention. While you’re scrolling through LinkedIn, notice what you may have missed — a promotion, an award, a new role, a speaking engagement — because these moments matter to people.
Taking a minute to acknowledge someone’s success, even with a brief congratulatory note or an automated LinkedIn response, reinforces connection.
Ann, for example, makes a point of sending birthday greetings to former employees. Those messages often lead to short catch-ups and sometimes longer conversations. Sharing an article, event or idea that you genuinely think someone would enjoy is another easy way to stay connected while offering value.
Look for community connections
Yes, we know … everyone is busy. But joining even one local group can open doors you didn’t know existed. It might be a town committee, library board, animal shelter, food pantry, singing group or bowling league. Good people tend to know other good people, and community connections often lead to professional ones in unexpected ways.
For those of us who are not natural “joiners” (Nancy is a joiner, but Ann, not so much), this may take some self-persuasion. Ann recently attended a local writers’ gathering she hadn’t particularly enjoyed in the past. This time, she arrived early, chose her seat strategically and made a point of engaging the people nearby. The result? Interesting conversations, great connections and new possibilities — all from showing up with intention.
Be sure to give it time. You won’t feel like a regular the first time you walk into a room. But after attending a few meetings, familiarity grows, and so do relationships.
Feed your existing network
A friend recently asked Ann to speak with a former colleague of theirs who was interviewing for a role in a field familiar to her. The request came from someone she respects, so of course she said yes. Not long after, Ann needed an expert source for an article and sent out a small “yelp for help” to a few trusted contacts. Within hours, she had excellent leads.
Nancy wanted to amp up her recommendations on LinkedIn, so she asked a few people whom she had met over lunch to give career advice. It’s all about give and take.
Moderation matters. Overwhelming someone with too many messages, articles or requests can feel burdensome, especially in an era of overloaded inboxes. Be sure your outreach is thoughtful, useful, and genuinely relevant. And be sure to say thank you. Better yet, send a hand-written thank you note in the mail.
Small gestures go a long way
At its best, networking is made up of light touches: a note here, a coffee there, a quick check-in when you’re in town.
While schedules don’t always align, that shouldn’t pose a barrier.
Although the two of us haven’t managed an in-person catch-up in over a year, we stay in regular contact and know we have each other’s backs. And that’s the best kind of network there is: one built on trust, generosity and friendship.