Why Your Network Isn’t Working When You Need It Most
If your professional network isn’t delivering when you need it, look at two things: are you nurturing the relationships you already have, and are you consistently meeting new people? A network needs both. Staying connected with existing contacts and expanding beyond the same familiar people should be ongoing activities, before you need help with your next career move.
You can have a long list of LinkedIn connections and still have very few actual conversations.
When you need your network, that difference becomes clear.
As founder of Chameleon Resumes and a former executive search firm recruiter. Everything I suggest to job seekers, I do myself. That includes maintaining relationships and reaching out to people I haven’t met yet.
Why has your network gone quiet?
I want you to examine two things.
First, are you nurturing it? Being connected on LinkedIn doesn't mean you're staying in touch. If you haven't had conversations, check-ins, or chances to learn what someone is doing, the relationship may have gone quiet long before you needed it.
Second, are you expanding it? If you keep speaking with the same people, you keep working within the same circle. Existing relationships matter. So does meeting people outside that circle.
Look at both. You may need to reconnect with people you know and start conversations with people you don't know yet.
Waiting until you need a job to build those relationships is one of the executive job search mistakes I see repeatedly.
What did I change as AI became more prominent in recruiting?
In September 2024, I attended a recruiting conference in New York City. There was so much discussion about AI in recruiting and hiring that I declared I was doubling down on connecting with people.
Here is the process I've followed over the last two years:
- Review my existing network. Look at who is there and which connections make sense.
- Remove connections selectively. On LinkedIn, I disconnect from people I don’t know and who aren't in my target market.
- Reach out to new people. In my business, I contact 50 to 100 people a week.
- Have coffee chats. Move beyond being connected and actually talk.
That formula has kept me going, and I'm continuing it.
Outreach is what I do in my business. The point of your executive job search is to consistently meet people and maintain relationships.
How can you start nurturing and expanding your network?
Start by looking at your recent activity.
Who have you spoken with? Which relationships have gone quiet? Have you reached out to anyone new, or are you relying on the same contacts?
Then put both activities on your calendar:
- Reconnect with someone you already know.
- Contact someone new who aligns with your professional interests.
- Make time for a conversation.
- Follow up so the connection continues beyond that first exchange.
You don't need to turn every conversation into a job request. You do need to talk with people.
If getting started feels uncomfortable, read my "Two Ways to Network When You Hate Networking."
Your takeaway: Nurture the relationships you have. Keep meeting new people. Do both consistently.