Has your network heard from you lately?

 
 

As the seasons change in the northeast, I have been thinking about how there are certain patterns and rhythms that persist every year. One of my habits is that in late October and early November I begin thinking about ways to reach out to my network around the holidays. I have written before about how to strengthen your network at the end of the year and it is one of the activities I love most.

That got me thinking about the cycle of developing a relationship with someone and keeping them in your network. There is a rhythm to staying connected; plus, it’s fun to think about all of the people you know as well as letting people know that you are thinking about them!

In a previous newsletter, I talked about how you should set up a system to stay in contact with people. Here are some additional thoughts I have about how to stay connected to your network.

 
 

The first meeting is not the end goal; it’s the beginning.

Let’s say you get a big meeting with someone who you have admired for years. You get to know each other a bit and make a genuine connection. What’s next? There are lots of ways to stay in touch that I’ve talked about before, but the main point to remember is that this is the beginning of your relationship. Maybe you have a list of contacts in your phone or a spreadsheet. Whatever organizational method you use, make sure you are keeping track of everyone you want to continue getting to know.

Send a follow-up and make note of what makes that person unique.

Send a thank you within days of your first meeting. Then, in the coming weeks and months, find ways to reconnect with that person in a meaningful way. I recently had a contact send me this article saying that she thought about me and how AI was changing my industry. Or, if you learned that the person’s favorite holiday is Halloween or that when they aren’t working, they participate in community theater, make note of it. Maybe you send a Happy Halloween card next year or find out when they are in a play and wish them luck before opening night. If you run out of ideas, check out these tips to keep your network from going stale.

Use common cultural touchpoints, like the end of the year, to reconnect with everyone.

My love of sending end of year holiday cards and gifts is how I began thinking about this newsletter. I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay connected. Sending a quick note at the end of the year in the form of a holiday card is a great way to stay connected. Plus, I find that even going through my network to create the recipient list is a fun way to spend an hour or two. I inevitably think of something in the news to send to people I haven’t reached out to in a while or I feel an intuitive tug that it’s time for a catch-up meeting over coffee and I reach out.

 
 

Using the end of the year to reconnect isn’t just about checking something off of your to-do list, it can be a reminder of all of the passionate and smart people in your life. In our remote work world, we need those moments of connection more than ever. Have fun reaching out to your network!

 
 

On to the jobs! Check out all of NRG’s searches here. Eleven of those positions are remote. 

Opportunities NRG is hiring for:

opportunities nrg is hiring for in education:

In addition to this list, you can find more opportunities on the website. Follow NRG on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all of the roles we are hiring for.

Let’s move,

Naomi

P.S. If you are just getting started with your job search, don’t wait until you get down the road to seek advice. Spruce up your interview skills now and sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you. 

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NetworkingJaclyn Jones