Flash Points
  • Be explicit about your goals, follow up and provide updates, and make it easy for your contacts to help you.
  • Say yes to anything that builds skills, experience, and relationships. Learning can occur in surprising ways.
  • Treat networking as long‑term activity: close the loop with gratitude, keep relationships warm, and stay active so opportunities come to you.

If you are looking for a job, you are probably inundated with well-meaning advice and recommendations. Much of the advice may revolve around the idea of networking and making connections with potential employers. Let’s say you’ve taken this advice and stepped out of your comfort zone: attended a professional meeting, connected with someone at your ‘dream’ job, let people get to know you a little. What next?

Here are five steps you can take to turn those fledgling connections into real opportunities for career advancement:

1. Be explicit (but respectful) about your goals

Instead of “let me know if you hear of anything,” try:

“I’m seeking an entry level HIM role in X/Y areas. If you happen to hear of something, I’d be grateful if you kept me in mind.”

People can help more easily when they know what you’re aiming for.

2. Follow up when things change

Maybe you graduated, got a new certification, completed a project, or attended a conference.

Share a short update with a few key contacts. Descibe what you are looking toward next.

3. Say ‘yes’ to stepping stone roles

Sometimes an opportunity is career-adjacent, but not perfect (e.g., data quality role instead of your dream analyst position).

If it builds relevant skills, experience, and relationships, it can still be a powerful career move. It is always better to be working than not and learning can occur in surprising ways.

4. Close the loop with gratitude

When someone gives advice, makes an introduction, or helps you land an interview, follow up with a thank you note and a quick outcome update.

This reinforces the relationship and makes them more likely to help again.

5. Treat networking as long term, not one time

Keep relationships warm even when you are not actively job searching: occasional check ins, sharing resources, or celebrating others’ wins.

Over time, you become part of their mental “network map” when opportunities arise.

One last thought: networking is not something you do only when looking for a job. It is an integral part of being an active professional. Let these five steps become life-long habits. Opportunities come to those who are active.

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