The best time to network is before you ever “need” your network.
If there’s anything that thousands upon thousands of people are learning the hard way these days, it’s that they should have been networking long before they set out to find their next opportunity. Too many had grown comfortable in their current (or previous) role. Life was good. But now they realize that comfort came at a cost.
They’re stuck in a place that makes them dread Monday mornings.
They’re spending more and more time on work and less on their friends, families, or worse, themselves.
They’re suddenly laid off for any number of reasons (restructuring seems to be the catch all these days) and are at a loss of where to go next.
Your career will take up at least a third of your life; a big enough chunk that a poor career path will negatively impact other parts of your life. It’s up to you to open the right doors to a better career path and, in turn, a better life.
And what’s the best way to find those doors?
Your professional network.
But to many people’s misfortune, they forget that their network is like a fruit tree; it takes time to sprout, grow, and bear fruit.
Bottom line? Network before you need your network.
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