Executives: Rebuild your network BEFORE you need it
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When executives land a new job and are out of the job search cycle, often they drop the active networking that helped get them that new job. While LinkedIn, Facebook and other business networks offer some ongoing online connections, they don’t provide the personal touch that is necessary to maintain a network. You never know when you will need to reach out to those connections again.

Often people feel awkward reconnecting with former colleagues, coworkers, bosses, and mentors. When reaching out, admit you lost touch. Chances are, the other person feels much the same way; that they haven’t been actively engaged with their contacts, and appreciate your stepping forward to rebuild that relationship.

When rebuilding relationships, make the person feel that you are interested in them – don’t immediately make this about you. Draw on what you know of your contact to stimulate the conversation. You may learn valuable information just by letting the other person fill you in on what has been going on with their professional life.

Don’t ask for a job. Center the conversation on developments in the industry or cutting-edge products and technologies, growth, etc. By asking carefully crafted questions concerning the companies or people around these new developments, you can get contacts or pertinent information that can be used. Of course, if the person you are conversing with has a direct relationship with someone, ask permission to use them as a referral for further research.

The more subtle approach will generally net you a more open and willing connection than if you tried to say hello after five years and immediately asked for job-search help. Re-establishing relationships based on mutual interest is far more comfortable and effective than requesting job leads.

The secret of successful networking is to build relationships through conversations for the purpose of your career development. Don’t discount or eliminate contacts prematurely because you think they may not be helpful. You never know who any of your contacts may know that could be helpful to you regardless of age, occupation, background, industry, etc. When you find your next position, send a letter to all who have helped you to share your good news and, of course, offer to help them as appropriate. It’s a good business practice. Continue building contacts even if you are happy with your job. It’s the best insurance policy for your career.