Whether you are currently in a job search or happily growing in your current position, showing your appreciation for those in your network never ever goes out of style!
Sure, you know you’re supposed to keep in touch with that networking contact list, and not let those connections grow “cold,” but how do you do that? How do you keep folks from falling through the cracks?
Turn February into your own Personal Network Appreciation Month.
Designate February each year to give special attention to each person in your network. This will give you that extra boost to connect with those you haven’t heard from recently.
(Personally, I like to designate both February and November as “Appreciation Months.” Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving are great internal reminders, and this also serves as a biannual checkups with my contacts.)
The goal of this month is not to ask for anything, but to thank them for the help they have given you in the past, let them know how much you appreciate them today, and check and see if there is anything you can do to help them in the future.
How does this appreciation “work” for you and your career? Simple. Studies show that employees would rather work with a nice colleague than a competent, successful one. So even if you do not see them daily in your office, give them a reason to associate nice warm fuzzies with you. Allow your name to stay in the forefront of their minds when they hear of that the new position or project, and upcoming promotion.
It boils down to the fact that people want to know that they matter. When they know that you care for them and not just for what they can do for you, that contact is more likely to bend over backwards to return the favor to you. All without you having to ask. And isn’t having to “ask” the most uncomfortable part of networking?
I guarantee that if you implement your own Networking Appreciation Month you will see solid improvements in your networking success within a few months. And in one year, your career path prospects will be utterly transformed.
Are you maximizing LinkedIn to manage those connections and find new ones? Email me at JulieMendez@jsmcareercoaching.com to find out more!