Most people wait to build their network until after a career crisis hits them and then scramble to make contacts and find a new job. Because this style of networking comes across as desperate and insincere, it is doomed to failure. You should already have an effective network in place that can help you in such a situation.  More importantly, you should never stop networking once you get a job.  Not only does networking help you find a job, but if you want to grow in your career you need to network within your current company and outside your workplace. Your network, once efficiently in place, becomes not only something you maintain on a regular basis like a chore, but it becomes a part of your lifestyle.

So, how do you start?  Whether the goal of your networking effort is to find a job, change jobs or grow on the job, it is essential that you strategize accordingly and develop a clear plan. Who are the right people to help you achieve this goal and how can you develop a relationship with them?  Once you have identified the population you want to connect with, organize and focus how you will get involved with that group.  For example, don't join a professional organization and then volunteer to be on every committee.  Pick one or two and get involved so that you really have the chance to get to know people and they really have an opportunity and a forum to get to know you. Finally, follow up with the people you meet.  After you have a conversation with someone, take some notes on the back of their business card to remind you of what you talked about and follow up with an email or a LinkedIn invitation reiterating some of the key points from the discussion. Once you have established the connection, remind yourself to follow up periodically, ask questions, and respond with helpful information or interesting resources you both share an interest in.  Frequent and thoughtful engagement goes a long way in maintaining a healthy relationship!

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