I have been so busy in the past few years, I have let my network go and now, with my company in trouble, I realize I need to kick start it. What do you suggest?

It is not unusual to be so busy working for your company, that at some time or another, you forget to work for yourself—and a strong piece of that is keeping a good network of professional contacts so if you do need to make a change in your career, you have a solid team of people willing and ready to help you. A multi tier approach is the best way to cover your bases and here are some good places to start:

1. Professional Associations. Hopefully you already belong to a few professional associations within your functional expertise or particular industry (If you don’t, this is STEP 1 ). Unfortunately, only a very small percentage of members actually take an active role in the associations they belong to. If this sounds like you, change it. Volunteer for committees, go to monthly meetings, and at the least, go to the annual conference. Get involved with others in your profession and it will always pay off in some form or fashion.
2. Social Networking. This was once considered an extravagance of time, but today, I will tell you, it can be a great tool to stay in touch with not only old friends but professional colleagues as well. We find Linkedin is the best professional networking site but Facebook, which used to be for teens, has evolved its demographics into a broad base and is a great way to stay in touch as well. Check out twitter for quick blasts of info as well.
3. Continuous Learning. In today’s global marketplace, if you are not continually making an effort to learn new techniques, strategies and skill sets, in a matter of a few years, you can find your self obsolete compared to your up to date peers. Don’t let this happen to you. We are all busy and money can be tight, but do not use the excuse, I don’t have time or I don’t have the money to stay current. Its about prioritizing, and now with online training tools like webinars--both time and expense have been vastly reduced so take advantage to continue to learn.
4. Recruiters. It would be completely irresponsible to not include my own industry into your career survival kit. By all means, when a recruiter calls you, take the call and listen to the opportunity. Whether it is right for you at the moment you will never know if you do not at least explore the option. Work on finding a few recruiters that you connect with and trust to include in your inner circle of trust and build those relationships. I do not think we are alone in saying, whether we are the ones to place you or not, if we like you, we will help you any way we can.
5. Community & Volunteer Work. Being involved in important aspects of your community—be it Chamber of Commerce, Charities or Church, can be another tool to enhance your network from a local perspective. The more people you know that take an active role in their community will put you in a better position to tap into that community when you need help.
6. Peers and Past Leadership. It can be easy to lose touch with past peers and your bosses from the past, but to a future search those relationships can be critical for networking new opportunities as well as much needed testimonials to your abilities. (Another reason to never burn a bridge with an ex employer) Make sure you do a pulse check with key people in your past every six months so you keep those contacts up to date.
7. Saying Thank You. Sometimes the easiest way to make a great lasting impression is simply to say thank you to the people who have crossed your path in a positive way. Don’t lose touch with gratitude. Whether it is a quick email, a formal thank you note or a quick voicemail—people are far more willing to help those who have said something kind or shown appreciation in the past.

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