Your professional network is only as effective as the level of consistency and persistence you invest into it.
Building a strong professional network takes time, specifically, consistency and persistence over a period of time. It’s no different than if you were to grow any sort of fruit tree from a seed; you must water and tend to it time and time again if it’s ever going to start bearing fruit to eat.
The most common mistake I see people make when they network, especially if it’s in pursuit of something like a new role, is that they stop networking if they aren’t getting the results they want. Unfortunately for, the best opportunities for our career to grow do not come instantly.
Being consistent and persevering through the highs and lows of networking is critical because:
(1) The relationships you make along the way compound the same way compounding interest works when you invest into stocks and funds.
(2) Many of the best opportunities out there rarely, if never, make their way to a job board. A significant number of those “dream jobs” are roles that come through genuine networking and referral instead of application portals and resumes.
(3) People (i.e. recruiters, hiring managers, etc.) remember people who stay engaged and don’t vanish off the face of the planet.
With that in mind, my advice to you is to set aside at least 15-30 minutes a week to check in with connections, both new and old. Say hi. Setup a coffee chat. Grab some food. Keep consistent and persevere; I guarantee you, one day you’ll look back and be glad you did.
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